There are so many people in our world today that are struck by a single question: Who is Jesus? Was he simply a good teacher or was he a lunatic, a prophet of some sort, a simple carpenter from Nazareth, or was He really the Word made flesh that dwelt among us (John 1:14)? The answer to that question is the basis for our beliefs. As Christians, we believe He was the Word, fully God, yet fully man, and this satisfied the blood covenant He fulfilled through His death on the cross (Romans 8:3-4). Countless authors, scholars, philosophers, and everyday people have attempted to explain away the Person of Jesus. It is beyond their perception, or beliefs, that God would even come to approach us (and not the other way around) as a humble, human child that grew in age and wisdom (Luke 2:40).
Jesus of Nazareth has been the subject of many documentaries, movies, and television shows alike over the years. I can’t say that all of them have been excellent, or even biblically accurate, but He certainly still engages the viewing interest of millions of people around the world. Many actors have attempted to portray Jesus in an accurate manner – some going the stoic route (because Jesus clearly never smiled or joked) and others going the other direction with an overwhelming Jesus of “peace and love” (I wonder what they think of Matthew 21:12?). It surely can’t be an easy role to portray or make every Christian viewer happy.
I had always hoped and prayed to see a video, show, movie, anything that accurately captured who Jesus was and is, according to the Scriptures. The Chosen released its pilot episode (“The Shepherd”) on Christmas Eve in 2017, and then the first full season in 2019. While it was not an instant success, it began to slowly captivate those stuck at home in 2020, and their show has never been the same since. Many of us were searching for answers and hope in the time of uncertainty and unprecedented events, and over 50 million people found the Answer by July of 2020. This shocking (and pretty miraculous) statistic begs us to ask the question: What so captured their attention?
One of the things that struck me was the beautiful and raw view of Jesus’ humanity, as well as that of the disciples. We tend to forget that the people we read about in the Bible, including the disciples, were real people that experienced real emotion, suffering, miracles, and even doubts. The Chosen captures real people being asked to drop everything they have ever known to follow Jesus, and it shows the reality and impact of that decision. As a side note: I completely understand that the actor that plays Jesus, Jonathan Roumie, is not actually Jesus. But when he appears on the screen portraying Jesus, you don’t want to look away. Jonathan portrays Jesus in the most biblical and human way that I have ever seen, and you can’t help it when tears begin to form during the episodes.
If you use their free app for download, it records that currently there are over 467,120,000 views of the show worldwide! People are seeing who Jesus really is for the first time, and diving into the Scriptures (especially the Gospels) because of it. Others have shared their stories of how the show revealed that they weren’t really following Jesus, but now they have fully surrendered their lives to Christ. This show has personally moved my heart and soul, and I am sure many of you have heard me talk about it non-stop! I even had the opportunity to visit their set in Midlothian, TX with my best friend, Mandy McGee. We were able to be extras in the “Feeding of the 5,000” filming last summer, which will premiere at the end of Season 3! Honestly, I could go on and on about this show and the incredible and captivating portrayal of Jesus and the disciples. Words are challenging for me to select when I describe this show and the impact it has had on millions of people around the world. I think I will close here in the way that disciple Phillip might have, “Come and see” (John 1:46).
Meet the Author!
Kaitlin loves Jesus and the Word with all her heart and soul. She is wife to Landon Niles and enjoys being part of the Niles Family Crew with Troy, Nolene, and Tate! She is currently attending Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for a Master of Theological Studies degree, with an emphasis in Biblical Counseling. She also serves in our CRBC Student Ministry and leads 6-9th grade girls. Apart from Jesus, she loves dogs, cooking, reading, and The Chosen!