At 7 PM on Easter weekend, April 10-12, the Kelso-Longview Community Seventh-day Adventist Church will present their 2009 Journey to the Cross. This powerful Easter musical called, “Let All Heaven Rejoice” was written by David Clydesdale. We will listen as 30+ choir members lift their voices in praise. We will watch as 120 performers in period costume enact this life-changing story. This FREE one hour performance will be unforgettable, once again....
We sit spellbound as the choir sings, “Their only hope is in a Savior.” Nervously we watch the confrontation between Satan and Jesus. Three times Satan uses all his wiles to trick Jesus into sinning. Three times Jesus rebukes Satan with the powerful words, “IT IS WRITTEN!” 
Jesus calls 12 ordinary men to be His friends and followers. He empowers them to change their world, because their only hope is in a Savior. As he wanders through the temple, Jesus sings of blessings on those who are poor in spirit; those who weep and mourn; the patient and meek; and those who hunger for righteousness. A boy on a stretcher is brought for healing, the eyes of the blind are opened and a sinful woman is forgiven. It is as though they had been touched by heaven itself.
Time passes swiftly. It has already been three years since Jesus began His earthly ministry. It is now Palm Sunday. The people wave palm branches as they proclaim Jesus king. But Jesus knows they are looking only for an earthly king - one who will make their lives easier now. Jesus yearns for them to have their eyes opened so they will receive Him as their Messiah. As He enters the temple, Jesus sees how it has been desecrated by unholy trafficking. In anguish He cries out, “How could this happen to your holy place?” and “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer.’” With authority he commands all the merchants to get out of the temple. Stampeding, they flee. 
Quietly Thursday night steals upon us. The Passover meal. What meaning in the bread and wine, but His disciples comprehend it not. Would they still be there had they known? Brooding in the presence of the Savior, Judas makes His break. He does not know that he is controlled by the Evil One.
Gethsemane. Jesus carries the weight of the sins of the world. He prays for His disciples to have courage and strength for what lies ahead. He prays for His own tempted soul. Is there no other way? In submission He prays, “Not my will, but may Your will be done in my life. Give me power, give me peace.” 
We hear the clank of soldiers as Judas leads them to the Mount of Olives and Jesus. With a callous traitor’s kiss, Judas betrays Jesus. The disciples flee as Jesus is bound and taken away. He endures the indignity of a kangaroo court. And all the time he could have summoned 10,000 angels to set Him free. But He did this for you and for me. 
We watch as Jesus carries the heavy cross. We hear the sound of metal hammer against metal nails. And we shudder. We watch his agonizing pain and listen as the angels mournfully sing, “O God, He’s dying!” They can hardly endure the sight. Neither can we. Jesus dies and is taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb. It is all over. The Light has gone out of our lives.
Easter Sunday. The soldiers are pacing in front of the tomb. Suddenly we feel an earthquake. Thunder peals and lightning flashes. In the midst of all this, an angel appears and calls Jesus from His grave. Hell has been defeated. The grave cannot hold the King of the Universe. He rises from the grave, glorified and undefeated.
Sunday evening Jesus finds His disciples discouraged, but he tells them, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Then He tells them,
“Go change the world. Their only hope is in a Savior.” They prostrate themselves in praise and adoration. They join the universe in singing, “Let all heaven rejoice. Praise God, the King is finally here. No more crying, no more fear. He’s finally here. Let all heaven rejoice! Now and forevermore.” Praise God. The victory has been won. The Light will never go out again.
But we hear the message continue. This time it speaks to us. “Go change your world. Your light will pierce the darkness. Your life will lead the way. Their only hope is in a Savior. Go change the world.” Their future hangs in the balance. Will you obey?