‘An Easter Journey’ returns to Dayspring March 27-29

What was it like experiencing Christ’s final days on Earth as he journeyed to the cross, into the tomb and then arose?

The members at United Dayspring Church in Berlin will offer a unique look into the well-known moments leading up to those final days through the portrayal of “An Easter Journey” March 27-29.

The journey is one that is designed to allow visitors to walk through a series of scenes that portray significant moments in Christ’s journey to the cross.

The play is one that portrays the passion, love, agony and all the emotions that took place during Jesus’ final days prior to rising again, and Director Richard Ropp said this portrayal has always held a special place in the hearts of the many people preparing for the play.

He said their hope is those who travel back in time to share the experience with them also will be blessed and inspired by the play.

“It’s very touching and emotional, and it makes you think,” Ropp said. “You come away from it with a deeper meaning and understanding of the love of a savior who died and rose again for all of us. That’s the meaning behind it. I’ve been through it so many times, and it still makes me emotional and tear up experiencing it after all these years.”

Filled with more than 150 actors, of which 37 have main speaking parts, the journey takes visitors through many scenes, from Jesus overturning the tables in the temple to a street marketplace, Jesus’ trial with Pilate, Barnabas, the Garden of Gethsemane, the tomb, the cross and more.

Ropp said this production began in 1998 while he was a member at Light in the Valley Church. It was performed annually there until 2006, when they stopped production. After several years of attending Dayspring, several people brought up the idea of resurrecting the passion play. He sought and received permission from LIV, and the production was reintroduced in 2015, where Dayspring presents it every other year.

Ropp said over the years the script, which was originally purchased, has undergone many changes, as they retooled the idea of portraying the story in different ways.

What has transpired has been something that brings visitors to within a whisper of seeing Jesus, only to realize they have just missed him.

“Whether it is Jesus turning over the tables or interacting with the disciples in the garden, every scene visitors see will be them just missing out on seeing Jesus because each scene has just taken place,” Ropp said. ‘The idea in the end is you may have just missed Jesus in each scene, just don’t miss out on seeing him today.”

Over the past several presentations at Dayspring, there have been upward of 2,000 visitors who have toured through the presentation and experienced the journey of Christ.

Ropp expects this year’s production to be no different and said the Dayspring members anticipate this weekend with great joy and expectations despite how much hard work goes into creating the production.

“All of the hard work is worth it because we are telling a story that needs to be shared,” Ropp said. “Our hope is that people who know Jesus will bring those who don’t who can gain a better understanding of the sacrifice he went through to save us all.”

The journey through the entire play takes about one hour. “An Easter Journey” will take place from 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, March 27; from 3-8 p.m. Saturday, March 28; and from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, March 29.