Do you want to take your relationship with Jesus to a deeper level but aren't sure how?
Do you struggle with connecting with Him because you don't have a church background; have endured bad relationships (including with men); or just aren't sure how to do this relationship with Jesus thing in general?
I've been there!
One of the ways Jesus facilitates growth in my relationship with Him ('cause He doesn't expect us to do it alone) is through creativity and the arts. More recently, that's included the multi-season series about the life of Jesus called The Chosen.
God is moving powerfully through this TV series - including in four specific ways that I am dying to share with you! Because wherever you are on your journey - new Christian or seasoned Christian - this visual portrayal of Jesus can take your relationship with Him to a whole new level!
(And, no, I am not affiliated with the series. This is purely all about you and your amazing growth!)
Watch The Chosen here: https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen
* Dallas Jenkins: Creator, Director, and co-Writer
* Jonathan Roumie: Plays the Role of Jesus
Show Notes:
Intro
Alright! So, I want to start this episode by saying that I am not affiliated with The Chosen in any capacity. Dallas Jenkins - the creator, director, and co-writer of the series - doesn’t even know I exist. So this is not a paid plug. (Not that they do that sort of thing in the first place.) But just to make it clear, I’m not getting anything for talking about the series on my podcast.
I’m doing this episode because (a) I know it will benefit a lot of my ladies out there, and (b) I love anything creative - especially when it’s about Jesus. So what’s better than deepening one’s relationship with Jesus through some amazing creativity?
I will freely admit, though, that I am a fan and supporter of the series. Partly because of what I’m going to talk about today - meaning, how Jesus is using this series to deepen my connection with Him. And partly because of the amazing job that they’re doing with it. Not just in the sense of production - but their entire approach.
So am I happy to help and serve my ladies and spread the word about The Chosen at the same time? Yes - yes, I am!
Oh, and by the way, if you’re not acquainted with The Chosen, I’ve provided a link to the official website in my show notes. The series is distributed through their free mobile app - which allows you to cast the show onto your TV or other devices. (Don’t worry - it’s super simple and they have directions in the app.)
Currently, there are 2 seasons with more to come. And I highly recommend also watching some of the Extra videos in the app. I don’t want to go into detail here, but the story behind how this series about the life of Jesus came to be is all God.
Anyway, so without further ado, let me share how this series has impacted my relationship with Jesus. As a Christian in general, but especially as a woman. And these are things that are meant to be taken to heart. This isn’t a list of notable mentions about the series. There’s some legit Jesus work going on here.
1) It’s allowing me to visually see Jesus’ life and what He experienced
I’ve mentioned this in other podcast episodes, but it bears repeating. I think we have a tendency sometimes to read the Bible, and the stories or narrative within, without pausing to really take in what’s happening. In other words, the full scope of what’s going on and what it means (or entails) logistically, culturally, mentally, physically, etc.
And we miss a lot when we do that. But with The Chosen, I’m getting to see what Jesus’ life was like on a daily basis here on earth. Which is kind of life altering, if you think about it. I mean, everything that Jesus did, that’s captured in the Bible, is important to note. His miracles, how He handled the disciples, how He treated women, His parables and lessons…everything.
But Jesus was also just living life, too. In a time in history that was very rough to live in, right? And I think that gets overlooked a lot because the focus tends to be on the miracles, the disciples, the parables, etc.
But what about life between those things? What did that look like? And how did it tie into or impact everything else that Jesus did that we do focus on?
The Chosen series starts right before Jesus starts assembling the disciples. And so not only does it include those in-between moments - it also lets us see (visually) what those recorded moments and miracles and teachings looked like.
As someone who is highly visual, I’m very aware of the difference it makes between hearing or reading about something and then seeing it. It just brings it to life in another way. Even for someone like me who has an active imagination. I read a lot of historical fiction. And when I read, I can “see” the story happening in my head. But even for me, there’s a huge difference between that and seeing it in a TV series. With a full fledged set, and flushed out characters, and the interactions, and dialogue, etc.
All that to say…being able to actually see a portrayal of what Jesus’ life was like - including the Biblically recorded moments and the ones in-between…that in and of itself has changed how I think of Jesus. It’s flushed Him out for me, for lack of a better way to phrase it.
2) It’s conveying a layer of humanity that I don’t think we see very often when it comes to Jesus
I kind of touched on this a bit in my previous point. But Jesus was in human form, right? Which means He dealt with the same day-to-day challenges and aspects of life that everyone else of that time did. And within this series, we get to see that part of Jesus’ life.
And it doesn’t take away from the fact that Jesus is the Son of God. Or what He came here to do. Sometimes, I feel like there’s this idea out there that if we focus on Jesus’ human life too much, it will diminish who He is and what He came here to accomplish.
But, personally, I’ve found that seeing His humanity - for lack of a better phrase - has only strengthened my love for him. Especially as a woman.
I don’t know if any of you ladies feel this way…but I feel like the typical way that Jesus has been represented by the big “C” Church has been very stoic (for lack of a better word). I just think about all the architecture, and stained glass windows, and paintings that I’ve seen over the years…even in modern churches…and Jesus is usually very serious faced or looking very pious.
And I feel like through sermons and teachings…He’s presented as this very straight-line, “do this and don’t do this” Son of God. No laughter. No personality. Nothing but doing the things for God.
That can make it difficult for a woman to connect with Jesus more deeply. Especially if you have toxic or abusive relationships in your past. Because even though Jesus isn’t being portrayed as abusive…as women from those experiences, we’ve dealt with men telling us what to do and withholding what we need. Love. Support. Laughter. Grace. And understanding of what we’re going through.
So this particular image of Jesus isn’t helpful. Nor is it accurate. So one of the things I love about The Chosen is that we get to see a more rounded portrayal of Jesus - including His laughter.
And I’m not the only one who apparently feels this way. Dallas Jenkins, the series’ creator, has mentioned that numerous people have thanked him for that very thing. For having Jesus laugh. The first time I heard Dallas say that, I literally said out loud (in my living all by myself - unless you count Hobbs, my Greyhound), “Yyeess!!”! There’s just something about that particular thing - seeing Jesus laugh or make a joke - that makes all the difference.
The last thing I will say on this point that I think is awesome is about Jonathan Roumie’s portrayal of Jesus. During a behind-the-scenes segment that he did with Dallas Jenkins, Jonathan said that he plays Jesus from the place of what he was feeling in a particular moment.
That might not sound mind-blowing, but consider this. Normally, if you’re playing a character - especially one that’s a real person - you study them. Learn about them. Interview them and the people in their life. And then use that to base your portrayal off of.
But doing that for Jesus? The Son of God? That’s a whole different ball game. Sure, there’s the Bible. But how could one ever really get in the head of the Son of God like you could a human? So when Jonathan said that - that he approaches playing Jesus from what He was likely feeling in that space - not only did I think that was brilliant from a method perspective. But it also means that He’s delivering that human aspect of Jesus to us that we can connect with. While still honoring everything that is the Son of God.
3) The real Jesus has used the series, and specifically the portrayal of Him, to beckon me into deeper relationship with Him
I’ll keep this point short. But, again, there is a huge difference between reading about something and seeing it portrayed. And this is the first multi-season series about the life of Jesus. (And, again, if you watch any of the app’s extra content or their YouTube channel, it’s very evident that God’s hand is all over this.)
Jesus has used the series as a way for me to spend time with Him. He’s used lines from the show to speak to me about various things. It’s opened my eyes to what He actually went through. How He lived. What He dealt with. And driven it home that He really does understand or get those daily needs and challenges.
Jesus is using this series as a way to speak to His children. Imagine binge watching a series about Jesus and the Bible…and the real Jesus having those hours worth of content to work through.
It’s kind of insane when you think about it.
And it’s one of those things where you just have to start watching and see what He does. Because there’s going to be messages or themes that can apply to most of us. But there’s also going to be messages that He has for each one of us specifically.
4) The empowering way Mary Magdalene has been portrayed and focused on
This one brings us back home to the focus of this podcast - and my calling - which is to empower women through Jesus.
I won’t give away any spoilers. But when the series begins in Season 1, Jesus actually interacts with Mary before any of the disciples. In fact, when we first meet Him, when we first see His face, is when Jesus touches her hand. (And as a side note, in one of the extra videos on the app, Jonathan - who plays Jesus - says he gets chills every time he watches that scene. There’s just something about Jesus touching Mary’s hand - especially in that moment.)
In another extra video, Dallas revealed that God impressed upon to not screw up the casting of Mary. (I’m paraphrasing, but it was along those lines.)
Now, call me crazy. But when I heard and saw these things, it made me think of the calling God has put on me…to help empower His daughters and free them from the things that have been keeping them captive for so, so long…and how, along with that, I truly feel as if God is getting ready to move mightily through the lives of women. In a way that maybe we’ve never seen before in history.
And being God, and the Son of God, of course that movement is probably going to be much bigger than any one of us can imagine. So it wouldn’t surprise me if in the series where Jesus is being portrayed in a way that stirs a deeper connection and relationship…that He’s also calling to us ladies.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Jesus was revealing more of who He is…Son of Man + someone who has lived a human life + laughs and has more depth than the stoic representation we’re all too familiar with…while also showing that us ladies are important to Him. That God is getting ready to move in our lives in a mighty way.
I feel like that’s at least one reason why the casting of Mary was so important.
Of course, this is just my gut check based on what I’m feeling in the spirit. Only time will tell if I’m anywhere near correct.
But regardless of what happens, watching how Mary is portrayed and handled in The Chosen has been hugely uplifting, and liberating, and empowering, and drawn me closer to Jesus. We’re all Mary’s in some sense. (Again, I don’t want to share any spoilers.) And I feel like Jesus is saying, “I see you. I’ve been watching you. I’ve been with you. And you are just as important to me as any Christian man. And it’s time to let go and be free.”
So, friend. If that’s the kind of message you want to binge watch from Jesus…check out The Chosen.