Few words conjure up more emotions than the word “reunion.” In the everyday sense, both negative and positive feelings can be associated. Family reunions, for instance, can bring up the best and worst in people. The family member who always asks why you’re still single, or don’t have kids, or have too many kids, or misbehaving kids... On the other hand, family can be the safest place, where recent painful journeys will be best understood, or good news is celebrated by all.

High school reunions are a whole different kind of stressful–or fun. You may think, “I’ve changed so much; I don’t want to go,” or, “I’ve changed so much, I can’t wait to go!” Meeting up with friends you haven’t seen in person for years and taking up like you’ve never been apart. Talking to people you barely acknowledged, or barely acknowledged you, and realizing you have so much in common and wonder why you wasted so much time avoiding one another.

The greatest reunion of all gives us the promise of beautiful reunions in the future. When Jesus rose from the grave, when the tomb was empty, when he did as he said he would, he was reunited in heaven with the Father. His job was complete on earth, and this ultimate reunion was his reward for living a faithfully obedient life. He sat down at his place of honor: the right hand of God the Father.

"After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world. The Son is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, and he sustains all things by his powerful word, and so when he had accomplished cleansing for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:1-3 NET

“Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.” Romans 8:34 NET

The promise this divine reunion holds for followers of Jesus is indescribable with mere words, but here is my vision of what awaits. God produces one of his best days, maybe right after a good rain with a rainbow in the distance. The fresh rain smell hits my nose just as the colors in the sky enter my vision. In the distance, I see glittering streamers; instead of a family or high school name, I see the word "heaven" displayed on a banner. Below the banner is a huge group of people with a receiving line forming. At the front of the line is Jesus himself, arms open wide to greet me. He whispers a greeting where I’m called a faithful servant; I melt into his hug, and then he ushers me on. Standing next to him with happy tears in his eyes is my husband, Chris. I jump into his arms, and we cry and laugh. My mom joins our hug and more happy tears flow. She has her beautiful blond hair like before she was sick. Then more and more family joins. Grandma is there, and seeing her young again is overwhelming. My stepdad who isn’t struggling to breathe is there. And my best friend, Susan, still the prettiest girl in the room, rushes up to kiss my cheek. So many others I know, and others I’ve only read about in the Bible. The party doesn’t just go into the wee hours, it goes on forever. Literally, forever. We sing, we laugh, and we celebrate.

That’s what we celebrate on Easter. Jesus conquered death. Death does not have the final word. Reunion is the promise fulfilled and the promise offered. What greater joy can we hold than the hope of reunion.

-Cindy Western

Pastor of Discipleship Materials & Small Groups

Read all of 40 Days of Prayer at easter.crossings.church.