By Rev Roberto Ochoa, Conference Minister
Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences of the United Church of Christ
April 6, 2026
While they were talking about this, Jesus[l] himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Luke 24:36 (New Revised Standard Version – Updated)
After that horrific Friday, the followers of Jesus were scattered throughout Jerusalem, in shock and grief at the murder of their teacher, rabbi, friend. Crucified on trumped up charges of conspiracy to undermine an empire and with the complicity of the established religious order of the time, Jesus was brutally nailed to the cross as an example to those that would dare challenge the ruling status quo. I can only imagine the grief experienced by those that followed and loved Jesus, the human one. They may have had a sense of despair and loss of the one that taught us to love the Divine Holy One and each other. His death was to serve as a mockery and warning of his teachings by his detractors.
Then on the third day…stories of a risen Jesus began, first with the women, then his inner circle. Whispers in excitement began to spread…Jesus lives. People claiming to have seen him, talked with them on their way to Emmaus, ate with him, showed the markings on his side and hands for those that needed to see to believe. A revived sign of hope…as small as a mustard seed was beginning to grow. Christ has risen.
Yet, the empire was still there, the established religious order determined to squash anyone spreading the myth that Jesus is the risen messiah. For most people, the following days were marked with life as usual…probably a hard one, just to survive. Whatever was that triumphant entry into Jerusalem about?
For most, on the days and weeks after resurrection, they weren’t aware that something miraculous was taking hold. A hope beyond all reason was taking place, being spread from person to person, family to family…that Jesus was alive. His ministry and teachings were being retold…and retold, making him more alive than ever. People began to re-enact that special Passover feast…or sharing the miraculous of the feeding of the five thousand plus. Stories of his miraculous healings, parables, and love of children, and his compassion for the most vulnerable were being told. And there were the voices of those remembering the bread and drink of life offered to all at an open table. “Do this in remembrance of me.”
Yes, the empire was still there, but the Hope for humanity did not die, it grew and became stronger. Later persecution and attempts to silence beloved communities of the Way would continuously fail throughout the ages. Christ Lives…still to this day.
Today, we find ourselves in similar scenarios, where speaking truth to power in this country is bringing consequences to those courageous to do so in following the steps of Jesus to stand for and walk with the most vulnerable among us. We hear Jesus’ clear voice “Whatsoever you do to the least of these, you do to me.” We are called to action.
Silence is no longer an option for us dear friends of the United Church of Christ…as we huddle in a fear we haven’t known, we are called to leave our upper rooms and burst out into the streets in the spirit of Pentecost. Taking in the Holy Spirit to share the good news of Jesus Christ…that his teachings still live. Christ Spirit is alive and well in and among us. We are called to be neighbors of God’s Love to all we meet, friend and foe alike. Jesus died so that we may live in the light of a kin-dom here on earth.
In the United Church of Christ, we strive to be a faith of resurrection for all. Our history is full of moments where we have stood, marched, and sometimes given our lives for justice to the oppressed, the marginalize, and the neighbor. I pray these next couple of years, our voices and actions will reflect that history, to counter the rhetoric of hate and polarization being caused, some even using Jesus’ name.
May we be embolden by the Risen Christ, to offer up Faith, Hope, and Love to all we encounter. “Peace be with you!”
And may the blessings of this season of Eastertide be upon you, your loved ones, the Church and our world.
Bendiciones y Paz/Blessings and Peace.
Rev Roberto