Community Joy: An Easter Reflection

“Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” —Romans 8:34–35

By Katherine Allison ’17

When I was 11, my two sisters and I attended a giant Easter egg hunt hosted by friends. We arrived at their home, donning Easter dresses and carrying Easter baskets, and quickly realized we were significantly older than the other children (and therefore able to take a more organized approach to tracking down the eggs).

As the elected parent lined us up to begin the hunt, my sisters and I decided to strategically assume a pseudo-military formation and hunt for our eggs as a well-constructed unit. What proceeded was a simultaneously systematic and frenzied Easter egg hunt that ended with full baskets, dirty dresses and sweaty, smiling faces. When you’re 11, there are few things better than leaving an event with lots of chocolate and your teammates and sisters walking proudly by your side.

This Easter season, my thoughts drift to that occasion, not for the chocolate or the competition, but in remembering the joy of that hunt with my comrades by my side. We often forget that the true joy of the Easter does not just mean redemption for one person, but salvation and redemption for the whole world. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can run the race together; we have been given new teammates to experience the joy of the gospel with us.

If we enter into that wonderful morning proclaiming Christ the risen King with only ourselves in mind, we have missed the point. Paul tells the church in Rome, “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:34–35). Paul’s inclusion of himself with the church in Rome allows us to see that this is not a gospel for one singular individual, but for an entire community, so that they may together know joy.

Like those three little girls, we run toward the empty tomb together with joy in our hearts and the Church by our side. We can now have communion with one another and share in immeasurable joy because He is not there. He is risen.

Happy Easter.

Bermuda native Katherine Allison ’17 is a double major in Christian ministries and English language and literature. After graduating next month, she’ll be heading down the street to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary to pursue a graduate degree in theology.