Juneteenth 2022: Redemption for Broken Systems
by George Moore
Juneteenth is a sobering reminder that we live in a world with broken systems and oppressive governments. Because although slaves in Galveston Texas were free to have a life of independence, there was still a system that desired their continued subjugation. This is proven by their failure to execute the Emancipation Proclamation. Ultimately, it took Union Soldiers arriving in Texas on June 19, 1865 to make their liberation a reality.[1]
As we see the brokenness in our world today, we are constantly reminded of the imperfect and destructive systems around us. Systems that steal, kill, and destroy lives and communities.
Many people still struggle with the theological idea of systemic evil. However, a thorough understanding of our depravity makes the idea of systemic injustice and evil a glaring reality. The reason is because the sin in our hearts touches every part of our humanity: our thoughts, our relationships, our words, our art, our entertainment, and even the systems we create. If we truly believe in sin’s comprehensive reach, then we must admit that it can corrupt governments, economics, and educational systems.
The good news of the Gospel is that through the work of Jesus on the Cross and the power of his Resurrection, God has endowed his people with the power and ability [2] to promote redemption in the systems ruined by sin and the evil one. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The Greek used word for “righteousness” here is the word dikaiosýnē,[3] which is also synonymous with the word justice. In other words, not only has God made us righteous in Christ, but we were made and called to be a “community of the just.”[4]
So as the church we are to live out the commands of justice, love, truth and equity.[5] We are called to work to address social injustice and reform broken political structures.[6] We pray for the Lord’s presence to permeate every space in our society, knowing that one day Christ himself will usher in a perfect Kingdom and system we can rejoice and have full confidence in.[7]
So as we remember the freed slaves on Juneteenth, as we remember the systemic injustices that refused to let slaves go free after the Emancipation Proclamtion, as a faith community, let us also remember the resurrected Savior who gives us the power to confront sin and destruction in all its forms.
Let us also remember the God who liberated the Israelites from physical slavery.[8] Let us remember the God who sets us free from the sin in our hearts[9] that make oppressive systems a reality. As we reflect on Juneteenth, may we all use our lives to bring the Gospel’s light and truth to a world full of darkness and chaos. And as we do this, we will truly demonstrate and reflect a better Kingdom, a better system [10] that has arrived.[11]
Notes:
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/abolition-of-slavery-announced-in-texas-juneteenth
Romans 8:11
Michael Gorman. (Becoming the Gospel: Paul, Participation, and Mission. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing, 2015), pg. 121.
Exodus 23:2-3; Leviticus 19:9-15; Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8; Psalms 106:3
Revelation 11:15
Exodus 14
Romans 8:1-2; 1 Cor. 15:55-57; Galatians 5:1
Isaiah 9:6
Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4