I was first introduced to The Chosen, the first-ever multi-season show about Jesus Christ, at the beginning of the circuit breaker.

After procrastinating for a few weeks, I finally downloaded the app and watched the first episode. I was instantly drawn to it and felt silly for having prioritised other programmes on my watch list.

There is just something special about the way Jesus and the characters are portrayed in this TV series. The Chosen gives us such an intimate glimpse into the lives of Jesus and His apostles, and also contextualises much of the gospels.

For us “future readers”, it can be easy to misunderstand passages.

The drama painted many helpful pictures for me, as I often find it hard to empathise with people who lived 2000 years ago in a vastly different culture. After all, much of what is in the Bible was written to the people who lived in that time. For us “future readers”, it can be easy to misunderstand passages, trivialise people’s struggles or put them on pedestals for their feats of faith.

The raw emotions of the characters in the series really helped me to see just how human we all are in our journey with Jesus. It also humanised the Lord Jesus for me, who was fully man and fully God while on earth.

As I watched the series, I was filled with faith and hope to hold fast in my journey until I see Jesus face to face. I’ll share 5 of my favourite scenes that have impacted me in the series, starting with something that always baffled me when I read the gospels.

1. EDEN AND ZEBEDEE: THE BEAUTY OF SUPPORT

“You’ve been called by the man we prayed for our entire lives, and you ask what I’ll say when you miss supper? Go!” – Zebedee

Whenever I read about Simon and Andrew who left everything behind to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:20), or James and John who “immediately” followed Jesus and left their livelihood and father behind (Matthew 4:22), it always astounds me.

How could they leave everything behind to follow Jesus?

The Chosen portrays their decision as one not made without reservation. In episode 5, Simon tentatively approaches his wife, Eden, to break the news of his calling. On a human level, he is concerned that she would be upset at having to live with an absent husband.

Similarly, in episode 4, when Jesus called James and John, the first thing they did was to look to their father Zebedee. The brothers were unsure if it was okay to just leave him and their mother behind. 

So they were human too!

We discover it is the support of their family and Jesus’ compassion that enabled the apostles to journey with Christ without worrying.

Both Eden and Zebedee rejoiced at the news and were fully supportive, because they recognised the higher calling James and John were being called to.

In one memorable scene, Jesus tells Eden that He sees her – He knows it wouldn’t be easy for her to be apart from her husband and take care of her sick mother by herself.

This exchange led to the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law in Luke 4:38-39. Watching that episode, it struck me that God understands that we have our struggles in following Him. Yet He does not ignore or trivialise them, but helps us overcome them by His grace.

I also loved how Eden gave Simon her blessing. “Thank you, for obeying and following Him” might be one of the most encouraging things we can hear from our family and community.

It got me thinking about how we can better support each other on our faith journeys and build each other up. 

2. ANDREW: IT’S HUMAN TO DOUBT

“I saw the Messiah today, anything is possible now.” –  Andrew

The series also showed that some of the apostles had doubts in their faith journey. 

Andrew was the one who told Simon about Jesus and had such simple faith in the beginning. But like the seed that fell among thorns (Luke 8:14), the worries of the world cropped up in his faith.

Here’s the exchange where Andrew begins to worry about where they would be staying and about the region being cold.

Mary Magdalene: “With Him, I have learned to stop worrying about these things.”
Andrew: “I haven’t.”
Little James: “You think He will let you freeze?”

Even with Jesus physically there and performing all sorts of signs, wonders, and miracles before their eyes – some still doubted! So we can certainly be comforted that the apostles were human too, and that Jesus will help us as we trust in Him.

Hearing Little James’ response in that episode reminded me that I should always go back to what I know of God’s nature whenever I experience doubt.

3. NICODEMUS: PURSUING TRUTH LEADS TO ONE OUTCOME

“My heart is swollen with fear and wonder.” – Nicodemus

The Pharisee Nicodemus, a key character whose life is greatly explored in the series, demonstrates the heart of a person who truly seeks the truth and God. 

In the episode, his temporary stay in Capernaum swiftly transitioned from a routine visit to a “research project” about the power of God manifested through Jesus.

Nicodemus’ pursuit of the truth is also a picture of the personal decision each person must make when he comes to the crossroads between a divine encounter and the safety of tradition and what he knows. 

The episode was also a powerful reminder for me that the pursuit of truth is synonymous with the pursuit of Jesus who is Truth Himself.

4. MATTHEW: ENCOUNTERING GOD DEMANDS ACTION

“Do you believe impossible things can happen?” – Matthew

I love Matthew’s scenes in the drama because they portray what happens when truth and grace clash with deceit and unforgiveness.

After witnessing Jesus perform a miracle with fish (while spying on Simon), Matthew was constantly in a state of discomfort.

The tax collector knew he couldn’t continue living the way he had been. Everything he ever knew had been wrecked, and it left him restless and searching.

In the drama, we see Matthew progress from seeing, to searching, to believing and finally acting when Jesus called him.

My takeaway is that we can never stay the same after a true encounter with Jesus. When we genuinely believe in Him, we must be moved to act. 

5. JESUS CHRIST: FRIEND FOREVER

“Some things even I cannot do.” – Jesus

Finally, this line was from one of my favourite scenes with Jesus. He was joking about being unable to help Andrew with his four left feet, humorously remarking that Andrew’s dancing was like “a donkey walking on hot coals”.

What I find so refreshing about The Chosen is how the show portrays a lighthearted and fun-loving Jesus who takes time to tell jokes and dance. I think that really helps viewers connect to Him as a friend!

It also moves me to go deeper in my personal relationship with Jesus and affirms what I’ve always thought of Him – that He is someone who sits beside me as I watch cartoons (without bringing up the fact that I’m way too old for them) and never gets bored of my jokes and movie references!

PAYING IT FORWARD

Last thing that makes The Chosen so special: it’s all crowd-funded.

As the highest crowd-funded media project of all time, The Chosen is built upon by people who generously pay it forward. Director Dallas Jenkins explains at the start of episode 2 that each stream has to be paid for, and every contribution will go towards making the series available to all people across the globe and funding future seasons.

I am thoroughly enjoying The Chosen and would love to see more seasons being produced so that the Good News can be further proclaimed to the ends of the earth. I believe that God can speak powerfully to people through this platform and reveal Himself to many more.

So let’s support this Christian initiative and #BingeJesus together!