What does Easter have to do with the Roman Empire?

By Leandro Palacios, Director of Communications

It was Lent. We were following the Passion account in the Gospel of John. Steve Thompson, from the Edmonton congregation, was our preacher. Before the sermon, and with a big smile on his face—like that of a child about to do mischief—Steve took a moment to ask: “How often do you think about the Roman Empire?” I’m sure the question surprised at least a few of those gathered for worship that day, but everyone was certainly intrigued by it.

During the sermon, Steve explained that we can’t really understand “anything going on during the ministry of Jesus without understanding at least a little bit about the Roman Empire.” In the stories about Jesus that our four evangelists wrote we hear about injustice, marginalization, and suffering caused by the overarching reality of Empire.

When theologians speak of Empire—without an article—we do not only refer to the Roman Empire. Rather, Empire refers to systems of power that normalize economic inequality and sustain a status quo in which large segments of the population are marginalized and oppressed. The ministry of Jesus was a direct challenge to Empire 2,000 years ago. And although Empire may not look the same after all these years, it is still a reality in our lives today.

This question inspired Apostle Shannon McAdam to talk about Empire during her Easter sermon a few weeks later. What do Holy Week and Easter have to do with Empire? Below is an excerpt from her sermon exploring John 20:1–18, which is the World Church’s suggested lectionary scripture for this Sunday, April 5, 2026. Shannon begins by addressing Steve’s question, “How often do you think about the Roman Empire?”

        For me, I’d say it is at least weekly. It is Empire that was
        oppressing the average person in Jesus’ time, Empire that
        was doing its best to corrupt the Jewish leaders, Empire that
        was reshaping industry and changing the job market. Sound
        ​familiar? It was Empire that crucified Jesus. 

In the gospels Jesus speaks about the Kingdom of God. In the original Greek this is “Basileia tou Theou.” The word “basileia” is the same word used to refer to an empire, including the Roman Empire. As odd as it may sound to us, Jesus was talking about the “Empire of God”; he was preaching and teaching about a reality in direct opposition to that of the Roman Empire—an upside-down empire in opposition to Empire. Shannon adds:

        In God’s empire, the last are first, the weak are strong, the
        Christ kneels and washes the feet of the disciples, and a
        woman is the first witness of the resurrection. Jesus wanted
        his followers to “Come and See” that a different kind of
        empire was possible. And because Jesus was killed by
        Empire, the resurrection itself is God’s unequivocal “NO” to
        Empire and the Empire’s forces of death and destruction.
        The resurrection is God saying “Come and see” that death
        and empire will not have the final word. Those we hear say
        “Jesus is Lord” are also saying “the Emperor is not Lord.”
        The Mary who proclaims “I have seen the Lord” is also
        saying “but not the Empire’s Lord.” So what could it mean
        for us, today, to say “I have seen the Lord”? And, radically,
        what could it mean for us today to say “Come and see”?
        Can we proclaim that we have been amazed by seeing the
        risen Christ in a stranger? Can we invite others into God’s
        empire of love and inclusion by saying “Come and See.”?

As we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection this Sunday, I invite you to take a moment each day to meditatively walk the path of the cross with Jesus as told in the Gospel of John, chapters 18 and 19. If you are a fan of classical music, you might enjoy listening to a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St John Passion, which closely follows this scripture. Notice how Empire is present, promoting division, discord, and competition—even among the disciples. And notice how, in every action and in every word, Jesus challenges this Empire.

What is the meaning of the Resurrection for us today? The Risen Christ stands in opposition to all unjust systems in our world. It is not only a response to Empire, but a declaration that it will not have the final word, and that—as Shannon says—a different kind of empire is possible.

Steve Thompson's Sermon

Shannon McAdam's Sermon