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All Christians should rejoice in the Lord on Juneteenth, a federal holiday, because it commemorates the emancipation of our fellow African American believers from chattel slavery in the United States.
Not only that, this nation overcame the shackels on its legacy through the bold as lions, tireless, tremendous, almost superhuman efforts of Christians.
Juneteen also represents an answer to the prayers, of many, for the eradication of American slavery. Jesus answered Christians' prayers that rose up to Him like the sweet-smelling incense He loves.
Before slavery was abolished, loving American Christians of all so-called races, shapes, and sizes boldly went to battle in the name of Jesus, loudly proclaiming the Gospel to slaves throughout the nation and across the Atlantic Ocean.
England's slave trading industry was ended because of bold Christian leaders, and at the grassroots level, by such men as William Wilberforce, Charles Spurgeon and John Wesley.
The ocean of faithful Christians overcame immoral anti-literacy laws, and taught slaves how to read the Holy Scriptures, even though it could mean imprisonment or a hefty fine.
This fine national holiday named Juneteenth is a combination of "June" and "nineteenth."
It was on June 19, 1865 that Union General Gordon Granger, enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation, announced to the slaves in the coastal city of Galveston, Texas that they were free.
Galvestton was one of the very last outposts of slavery in the country, as Abraham Lincoln had issued the Proclamation on September 22, 1862, effective January 1, 1863.
It took the Union Army over two years to fully enforce it. But what a Jubilee it was.
Lincoln's announcement promised freedom to the slaves in all of the Confederate States: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
This eradication of the American slave trade was due, largely, to the efforts of devout Christians, who led the Abolitionist Movement.
Churches were crucial stations on the Underground Railroad. And they helped slaves start new lives in faith and freedom.
We rightfully honor Paul for fighting the "good fight" of faith during his life. He was famously converted, by Jesus Christ, Himself, from being a ferocious and leading persecutor of Christians, to one of the most prolific writers and defenders of the faith in the whole Church. He kept the faith through everything he went through.
African American slaves, with the Church's assistance, fought the good fight until slavery was abolished in the U.S.
In Savannah, Georgia, George Liele, a former slave, organized a congregation in the 1770's and preached to plantation slaves.
Freed African slaves, led by Richard Allen and Absolom Jones, started the African American Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, the first fully independent Black denomination in the U.S.
As a deacon in the Methodist Church, Allen left that denomination, due to discrimination based on so-called race.
He also helped to purchase one of the first African American-owned parcels of land in America, and built a blacksmith shop into Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church - not far from Independence Hall.
The enslaved Nat Turner became a fiery preacher and leader of slaves in Virgina.
Harriet Tubman, who was an independent leader in the Underground Railroad, and who helped to free countless slaves, was a practicing member of the A.M.E zion Church in Albany, New York.
During slavery, Christians lived heroic lifestyles fighting for freedom, justice and the end of subhuman bondage in the U.S., and abroad, in the name of Jesus.
While not all slaves in the U.S. were Christians, many, many were. Juneteenth is a celebration of Jesus Christ answering the prayers of His faithful.
On June 19, 1865, the country finally broke free from the stranglehold of chattel slavery.
Celebrate Juneteenth, beloved. It is yet another reason to rejoice in the Lord.
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