My 3 Cents Worth: The Chosen

Mary of Magdala. Fishermen of the Sea of Galilee. Pharisees of the synagogue. Village of Capernaum. The Word of God. Jesus. Do these people and places sound familiar? Do they bring memories to you? Thoughts of stories from The Bible? 

The message in The Chosen, brings these stories to life! They penetrate, causing one to think deeper, differently, more open. Bringing God's holy scriptures out of the box, where we tend to keep them allows us to see the possibilities.

The simple story of Jesus calling James and John: the sons of thunder immediately left their father Zebedee, "holding the nets" so to speak. Jesus called them to follow Him and they left. This has always been a bit disconcerting to me. Why would Jesus ask such a thing? Why would Jesus ask two sons to leave their family, possibly putting their parent's livelihood and welfare in danger. Even He had worked as a carpenter with His own earthly father. Surely Jesus knew what a burden this may cause to Zebedee! ​

Image via Vi Gene

You see? My mind was closed, limited to thinking selfishly on behalf of the elder fisherman. I imagined that when Zebedee's sons followed Jesus, he was left to fend for himself. 

I'm usually a, but, what if? thinker, however, regarding this event, other possibilities never occurred to me. I just accepted it, as it was written, without question. Putting my mind at ease by believing whatever He commanded worked because I definitely do not know God’s plan. 

After watching Episode 4, I realized there could have been more. Because God's people had been... “waiting for so long,” for the Messiah. James and John were more than anxious to follow Jesus. Zebedee was delighted, and even encouraged his sons to follow Jesus, to wherever He may have taken them to be part of changing the world!  

The Chosen is about the life of Jesus, uniquely yet authentically, presented. Jenkins and his team also produced a Chosen-related, Christmas Special.  Please take the time to watch this beautiful gift from them. It may open boxes, windows or doors for you. In this talent-packed music and spoken-word presentation, His Word, the holy scriptures, are moving and vibrant! Dust off your Bible, open the pages and breathe in His life-giving words!

Open our eyes, Lord, and help us glean and see what you intend for our lives. Whether we are to follow to the extent that James and John followed or whether you would have us stay where we are, putting our talents and gifts to work on the home front. Open our eyes, hearts and spirits to Your calling so we may follow. 

Thank you Dallas Jenkins, The Chosen TV Series crew and VidAngel for all your hard work and using your God-given talents and vision for this earth and soul-shaking presentation of the Word.

​In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2

​ta ta for now
​
Vi Gene