The Union Army’s Major General Gordon Granger entered Galveston, Texas, June 18, 1865, bringing General Order No. 3, announcing the end of slavery in Texas. When he publicly issued this declaration, including at a Black church the next day, celebrations multiplied. Formerly enslaved persons cheered their freedom, hoping for new lives.

Although this freedom was imperfect and oppression lay ahead, God’s love provided much-needed rest. The faithful could take heart that Jesus’ burden would be light (Matthew 11:30).

Slavery was a tremendous burden on the people who endured it, effectively leaving a legacy of doubt, anger, depression, and lack of self-worth. General Order No. 3 could not heal all the wounds; some still exist from the trauma that enslaved ancestors felt and, as experts attest, passed down to their children.

For others of us, it may not be the legacy of slavery but another burden. Jesus, by offering Himself to us and taking on our burdens, provides us the opportunity to start fresh and move forward from what holds us back, especially sin. He offers us sanctuary.

When we look elsewhere for help with our troubles, we may find relief is only temporary. God recognizes this and tells us to bring our burdens to him and that He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28). Juneteenth is a testimony that God answers the prayers of the weary by giving rest from that which troubles us. In Christ, we have true freedom.