Knowledge To Ponder: Matthew 19:1–15 (paired with Genesis 1:27 & Philemon)
I have to be honest—I almost let Juneteenth slip by without a word. And as a Black woman, I just couldn’t let that happen. This day means too much to me, to my history, and to the legacy of my ancestors for me to stay silent. They endured so much so that we could celebrate freedom—so pausing to honor that is the very least I can do.
If you’re unfamiliar with the story, here’s a bit of a refresher. Juneteenth marks the day—June 19, 1865—when enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas were finally informed of their freedom, more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. It was a delayed freedom. A cruel gap. But also, a breakthrough. A moment worthy of remembrance.
Juneteenth was made a state holiday in Texas in 1980 and became a federal holiday in 2021 when President Biden signed it into law. It’s a celebration of the end of chattel slavery in the U.S.—but it’s also a call to remember, reflect, and act.
For me, Juneteenth calls to mind the biblical Year of Jubilee described in the Old Testament—a time every 50 years when debts were forgiven, land was returned, and slaves were set free. A divine reset. A holy release. When I see Juneteenth through that lens, I see it not just as a cultural or historical moment—but as a spiritual one too.
Now, I did a bit more studying before writing this post. I went back through Scripture to explore what the Bible says about slavery more closely. I’ll admit—some passages are hard to read. There are verses that seem to accept or regulate slavery, especially in the Old Testament. But as I sat with the Word, a few things became clear to me:
1. The Bible affirms the full worth of every human life.
Genesis 1:27 tells us we are made in the image of God—all of us. That means your value, my value, and the value of those who came before us isn’t up for debate. Our worth is not tied to skin color, nationality, or social status. That verse alone reminds me that the injustice of slavery was never part of God’s original design. Ever.
2. The Bible didn’t invent slavery—human brokenness did.
Slavery existed long before the Bible was written, in nearly every culture around the world. In the ancient world, there were even systems where individuals entered into slavery voluntarily to pay off debt (indentured servitude). In many of those cases, Scripture offered protections and guidance to keep people from being exploited. The Bible didn’t mandate slavery—it tried to bring justice into a system already corrupted by sin and already broken.
3. The gospel is always about freedom.
The entire story of Scripture is about liberation—from Egypt, from sin, from death. The gospel breaks chains, heals wounds, and restores what was broken. Even Paul, writing to Philemon about a runaway enslaved man named Onesimus, urged him to welcome him back not as a slave, but as a brother. That’s transformation. That’s freedom. That’s what Juneteenth celebrates, too.
Let me be clear—these are my thoughts. My reflections. My faith journey as a Black woman who has wrestled with the tension between Christianity and the history of racism in this country. And through all that wrestling, one truth has remained: I am made in the image of God. When I look in the mirror, I see God’s image, right there for all the world to see. That truth has anchored me. It’s helped me hold my head high even when the world tries to tear me down.
So no—Juneteenth is not just a party or a day off. It’s a powerful reminder. A movement. A spiritual checkpoint. It reminds us to think. To reflect. To grow. And to do.
Do what?
Help your community.
Support our youth.
Respect our elders.
Lift up the broken.
Tell the truth about our history.
And never stop honoring the ones who came before us.
Juneteenth teaches us that freedom delayed is not freedom denied—and that the road to justice is long, but worth walking. And just like our faith, it calls for active remembrance. We did not get here alone. And just like salvation, freedom came with a price. Let’s never forget the sacrifices made—not only by our ancestors but by God’s own Son.
So today and every day, let’s remember. Let’s reflect. And let’s keep moving forward—free, bold, and full of purpose.
Reflection Statement:
How can I honor the legacy of my ancestors—not just in celebration—but through meaningful action, community service, and a deeper walk with God?
Prayer: God thank you for allowing us the opportunity and freedom to celebrate another year for Juneteenth. Lord open the eyes and hearts of those that are still not fully woke to see and experience the goodness of your mercies and the power of your son Jesus. Let them know that they do not have to go this alone and that you are there with them to guide them through the process of redemption. Help those that are bound by their own thoughts and deeds to see that freedom lies in you. Help them to understand that they don’t have to struggle through life, that you are there as an ever present help. Lord, we celebrate your son Jesus and all that he has done for us. Amen.