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Even though Abraham Lincoln signed the Proclamation that set all slaves free January 1, 1863, it was not until June 19, 1865 that the slaves in Texas got the news. When word came, they were shocked and jubilant. Some immediately left to go north or to begin looking for family and relatives that had been sold to other plantations. Today many keep that day alive by going back to Texas annually to celebrate what they call Juneteenth. When Jesus went to the synagogue in Nazareth, he announced that He had come to bring Jubilee to the land. God established Jubilee for ancient Israel. Every 50th year, they were to erase all debt, liberate slaves, and redeem land. Jesus stated it this way: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” This Messianic mission shows that God is concerned about all aspects of our human existence. Of course, He is concerned about our spiritual needs, but also about our physical, mental, emotional, and volitional needs here on earth. And since Christ is concerned, surely we who are His followers should be concerned as well.
