I’m late to the train, per usual. I’m sure by now you have all seen or heard of the show “The Chosen” which portrays the life and story of Jesus til’ His death on the cross.
A lot of people had disagreements on the show. Some people even go further with their dislike and have ‘boycotted’ the show. Audiences had found it disrespectful that some scenes may have been put in the show for dramatic effect straying away from the Bible. Others have found dislike because of the humanization of Biblical figures.
I don’t think there is one based on a true story movie or show, that has not had false dramatizations to keep audiences entertained or to keep the story moving along. I don’t necessarily thing this is a bad thing but I think it needs to be lightly treaded when it comes to telling the story of Christ.
From what I’ve seen I don’t think the directors and writers went outside boundaries or crossed any lines. I can’t imagine how completely daunting it must be to create a show about Christ, but to create a good show about Christ.
We don’t know every single detail of the people we read about in the Bible, we don’t know everything about their stories, their lives, and we don’t know every single detail about Jesus’ life too.
I think, more than anything we need to understand that Jesus was human. He was put on earth, by His father, our father to first, complete God’s will and to two, be human to understand us. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." - John 1:14
One of the main reasons I like “The Chosen” is because it shows exactly that. Jesus being human. It gives us new light and a new understanding of Christ and just how intricately He loved, how well He cared, and how completely gentle He was. It also shows us that He laughed, He joked, He expressed His emotions, He had friends and enjoyed their company etc….
There are so many people, both in the Church, and coming into the Church and maybe even those who aren’t religious that have a hard time grappling with the fact that Jesus, in human flesh, stood on this earth. They have a hard time coming to terms with the fact that Jesus was just like you, and me. They can’t seem to make sense that Jesus was human too, for a short time.
It’s a blessing and important concept that the directors and writers of the show are portraying. In my eyes, and in many others’ eyes they have done an incredibly impactful job on giving Jesus, as a human to us through this show.
I’m not defending the cast and crew on this show in any way. They are human, and because of sin, humans are bound to make mistakes and trip us - wether they’re writing a show about Jesus or not.
but instead of being so quick to judge - about anything - maybe we need to put ourselves in the spotlight of others. Maybe we need to put ourselves in the writing office, directors chair, or producers space and ask ourselves to write the story of Jesus.
We should be giving glory that in Hollywood, there is a story, a show about Christ. “The Chosen” has amassed over 280 million people in 175 countries where the show has been translated into many different languages - even breaking the record for the most translated show in history.
Envagelization is important friends, let’s be a part of the story, not be against it.