Preface

The Chosen is a work of fiction, based loosely on historical accounts in scripture.  However, It is very important to note that it is not scripture.  Its aim is to explore the life of Jesus and of His disciples. Of Christ we know much because all of scripture is about Him. Of the Apostles we know very little in comparison. Interlaced in the show are subtle scriptural references which I will include to give context and meaning to what you will see in the episode.

In this review, my approach is to examine the characters in light of biblical events and concepts. Therefore, I will not cover the non-biblical characters except when necessary to relate them to the main biblical characters in the show.

Main Biblical Characters

• Jesus

Spoiler Alert:  I have included many details from the episode that may spoil the episode if you have not already seen it.  I have included a pre-show reading list of scriptures that will give you insight into the characters and concepts presented.

Pre-Show Reading List

Theme: Childlike Faith

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. 

Mark 10:13-16, ESV

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. 

Matthew, 18:1-6, ESV

Opening Scene

Jesus, in the opening scene is by a camp fire at night. He is praying earnestly to the Father because his time for people to know his true identity is very near. You can see him crying as he prays, knowing that once his public ministry begins, that times will become very difficult for him. He prays “Father, glorify me with yourself. Father, speak through me”.

…Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.

John 13:31-32, ESV

…The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.

John 14:10, ESV

The Children

A little girl who’s name is Abigail runs out of her house on the outskirts of Capernaum in A.D. 26, the time just before Jesus begins his public ministry. She comes across a camp in the woods and sees wood working tools and various crafts. She heard a noise and ran off behind a wall and then saw Jesus come into his camp. She ran away.

Later that night, the little girl was eating dinner with her parents and asked if she could play with Joshua, a little boy that was a friend of hers. Her mother said that it would be ok. But, Abigail kept it to herself that she was going back to the camp where she saw Jesus.

The scene switches to Jesus preparing to go to sleep. Before he enters the tent, you can see him washing his feet and then he says this prayer “Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe…” This was a common Hebrew address to God at the beginning of their prayers. He didn’t stop there but we cannot hear the other words of his prayer because the scene changed. However, it is noteworthy that just as Jesus did, we should pray often.

…pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, ESV

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:5–6, ESV

When we pray, our first and primary purpose isn’t to ask for things that we want, but rather to acknowledge God and give thanks to him. Then we make our own requests known to him, and finally desiring that not our own will but his will be done.

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Matthew 6:9-13, ESV

This is not the only way to pray but he said, “like this”. It is a template. The point is to acknowledge and honor God and to ask for his guidance on living a life pleasing to him.

The next day Abigail and her friend Joshua went to the camp where Jesus was staying. When they got there she was hiding behind a wall with him. Jesus was praying over his meal and breaking bread when he sensed the two children. He continued praying, “And I pray, that if there are ever two children who come visit my home here, that they would have the courage to say shalom so that they know that they do not have to remain in hiding. Amen”.

He was showing the little children that they did not need to be afraid of him. This is a theme that we see throughout scripture, when people came in direct contact with the divine such as an angel of the Lord. Fear at the sight of holiness followed by comfort, telling the people, do not be afraid. He thanked Abigail for not taking any food the previous day, when she was tempted because that would be stealing. This is one of the 10 commandments.

You shall not steal.

Exodus 20:15, ESV

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Questions and Answers

Being very inquisitive, she then begins to ask many questions. One question she asked because she saw all his woodcraft was “what other things do you build”? His response was that wealthy people love decorations and toys for their children. She responds ands says “that her family isn’t wealthy”. Jesus said to her, “many times that is better”. In scripture it says:

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 

1 Timothy 6:9-10, ESV

The word used at the end of the passage above was “pangs” which means pain, distress and woes.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 

1 Timothy 6:17-19, ESV

Clearly it is not bad to be wealthy, but we are warned not to be overly concerned about money or set our hope on it.

The next morning, Jesus was awakened by Abagail and even more friends. This is the affect Jesus has on people who trust in him, he attracts more people to himself. Abigail asked if her and her friends could be around with him for the day, to which he responded that “he had many things to do and that they might have to help”. So as they helped Jesus work on crafts, they asked him many more questions and he took the time to teach them about many things.

Are you dangerous?

Jesus responded, “maybe to some, but no, not to you and I won’t harm anyone”. How can he in one sense say that he might be dangerous to some, but then say in another, that he will not harm anyone? In his earthly ministry, Jesus was here to teach about salvation and the kingdom of God, not to fight. This is why he said that he will not harm anyone. He can be dangerous to some in a couple of ways. The first thing that comes to mind is that Jesus will be the judge at the end of time. The one that separates the good, the people who have trusted in him and followed his commands, from the bad, those who have not. In that respect, he poses the ultimate danger anyone can face, the danger not of physical death, but spiritual death and eternal torment and suffering.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 

2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 10:28, ESV

The other way in which he would be dangerous to some, is that just by following him, it will put their lives in danger.

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Matthew 10:16-22, ESV

Are you rich?

The question implied earthly riches. Jesus replied, “that is a question for another time”. It was too deep a question for the children at that time. He was not wealthy on earth while he was alive as a man, but also being fully God, he is the owner of everything in the universe, which makes him not only the wealthiest person on earth, but in all creation.

The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them. 

Psalm 89:11, ESV

His riches are spiritual as well. To those that love him and put their trust in him, he is rich in mercy and love.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9, ESV

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

Ephesians 2:1-10

What’s your favorite food?

Jesus responded that he loved many different kinds of food, but that he “especially loves bread, for many reasons”.

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” 

John 6:47-51, ESV

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 

Matthew 26:26, ESV

Do any of you know how to pray the Shema?

Jesus asked the children if they knew the Shema. This was a jewish prayer. They responded by reciting it together. As they did, you could see the emotion on the face of Jesus, looking almost as if he would cry.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And it shall come to pass, if you surely listen to the commandments I command you today. That you may gather in your grain, your wine and your oil. And you will eat and will be satisfied. I am the Lord your God who led you out of the land of Egypt to be a God to you. I am the Lord your God. Amen” After the prayer he said to them, “beautiful…very good”.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5, ESV

Why do you not have a house?

After the prayer, he was asked why he didn’t have a house. Jesus responded that his “home is many places because he has a much larger job to do than just being a craftsman or a teacher”. “What other job?” another asked. Jesus said “everyone has a much larger job than just their trade and you are more than just students. You are at school to show love to one another and to take Gods word and to share it. And at home to honor your father and your mother. And most important, from the law of Moses to love who?” A student answered “the Lord your God with all your heart”. Jesus said to the child “very good Joshua the brave.”

We are to love

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Colossians 3:14-17, ESV

We are to share the good news

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

Mark 16:15

…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

1 Peter 3:15, ESV

We are to work hard at our trade to honor the Lord

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24, ESV

Children are to obey their parents

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Colossians 3:20, ESV

Prophets

After a day of asking many questions, they left Jesus and were walking through a field on their way home. A girl said to the others, “I think maybe he’s a new prophet and who shows the will of God”. Joshua the brave responded to that statment by saying “no there are no new prophets, Rabbi Josiah said so”. What he said was true in part. After the minor prophet Malachi in the Old Testament, there were no other prophets for nearly 500 years. The Jewish people were accustomed to regular words and instruction from God through the prophets. After the communication from the prophets ceased, they began to make things up as they went by creating burdensome traditions and oral law not given to them by God. The Rabbi, Joshua the brave mentioned above, wouldn’t have known any better because of what he would have been taught growing up. It is because of this and other spiritual blindness that they missed the coming of Jesus Christ.

God is the Judge

The next morning one of the children was talking about a fight he had with another kid that he was punished for. The fight was instigated by the other kid and so it was not the fault of one who Jesus was talking to. Jesus asked him “what did you do?” referring to being hit. The child said that he hit him back. Jesus told him, “and that is why you were punished”. Then the boy said “but even Torah says an eye for eye. Why should I be punished too”? Jesus responded by agreeing with the law, but that it was for a judge to decide on the appropriate course of action regarding the Torah not him.

You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

Matthew 5:38-41, ESV

Vengeance is Mine!

He then spoke again to the boy regarding the matter. He said, “you want things to be fair”. Continuing he said, “when someone wrongs you, you want to right it. And you know who else loves justice?” He points up to God. “But what does the Lord say in the law of Moses about justice and vengeance”? Abigail responded, “that vengeance is mine.” “Yes, very good” He said, “the Lord loves justice, but it isn’t ours to handle”.

Vengeance is mine, and recompense (I will repay), for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’ For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone and there is none remaining, bond or free. 

Deuteronomy 32:35-36, ESV, parenthesis added for clarification.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Romans 12:19-21, ESV

Messiah is not a military leader

In the episode, Jesus then told the children not to expect messiah to arrive in Jerusalem on a tall horse with weapons. This was a misconception that those people had. Because of their oppression, they were looking for a messiah that would come in mightily with great power and reestablish Israel as an independent nation once again. They expected that God would send the messiah to help them fight and conquer back their land as God previously did before they came to be ruled by other countries. He said to the children that the messiah would be most pleased those of you who are the peacemakers. The reason for saying this was to conclude the topic of retaliation. We are to seek peace, not getting even.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 5:9, ESV

What if people don’t like you?

The questions shifted to his travels. Jesus in the episode was saying that he would be meeting more people that will follow him on his journeys. Then a boy asked, “what if they don’t like you”? Jesus said, “many won’t, this is my reason for being here”?

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 15:18-19, ESV

What is your reason for being here?

Abigail, the inquisitive one, said “I still don’t understand, what is your reason for being here?” Jesus said, “I am telling you this because even though you are children, and the elders in your lives have lived longer, many times adults need the faith of children. And if you hold on to this faith, really tightly, someday soon, you will understand all I am saying to you. But, you ask an important question Abigail. What is my reason for being here? And the answer is for all of you.

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” 

Luke 19:10, ESV

He continued, “…the spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives. And recovery of sight to the blind. To set at liberty, those who are oppressed. And to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor”. He was quoting Isaiah’s prophecy about himself.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn…

Isaiah 61:1-2, ESV

Jesus ends this final scene with the children by saying, “I have loved spending this time with you. You are all so very special. And I hope that my students ask the same questions you do, and that they listen to my answers. But I suspect they do not have the understanding you do. And I hope, that when the time comes they will tell others about me like you have.”

Ending Scene

The next morning Abigail, who was by herself this time, ran back to the camp where Jesus was staying and found it empty except for some toys that Jesus had made for her. He wrote her a note which said “Abigail, I know you read. You are very special and this is for you. I did not come only for the wealthy.”

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Luke 6:20, ESV

The summary of this entire episode is this. Jesus comes to us with the expectation that we believe what he says about himself with the faith of a child. When you tell children something, they listen to it and they believe. They are not burdened with doubt in the same way that adults are. They are an open canvas, awaiting instructions and always learning by example and then imitating that which they have seen. This is the way we should be. To believe that the words written in the Bible are true. To learn by Jesus’ example and then to imitate it. Finally, we are to tell others with excitement like a child that just just learned something new, and can’t wait to share it because it is so wonderful.

I pray that this review was a blessing to you. My hope is that by God’s grace I can give you not only information on this wonderful series but give you biblical resources that will enrich your knowledge and understanding God’s word. God bless you.

Where to Watch The Chosen

• Watch on your Apple device here.
• Watch on your Android device here.