161 years ago  today, the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were finally freed. “The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.” – General Order No. 3 read in Galveston, TX, June 19, 1865

God created all men and women in His image and as Christians we are now “in Christ” or “in the Messiah” (Ephesians 1) and that means that we are Christ’s people. The Messiah, the Christ, the true King represents His people – and what is true of Him becomes true of those who are “in Christ”. The love by which God has loved the world – by giving His Son that we might have the eternal life or new creation He created us for – that love has now liberated all of us and is now being poured out through His people.

Racism, slavery, xenophobia all express a hatred that is opposed to the love that marks those who belong to Jesus.

We celebrate today one expression of the freedom and love that will one day be reflected throughout the new creation.