The Chosen - S3E6

Intensity in Tent City

Summary

The opening introduces us to two new characters. A woman wakes from a dream that shows her a large snake slithering through some trees, sleeping apostles, and heavy fog. The snake then comes behind a distressed Jesus as he turns towards the snake. Distressed from this nightmare, she dresses and goes to speak with her husband about the screams of the men being crucified so early in the morning. The governor who ordered these executions is none other than Pontius Pilate who is off to meet an old friend.

We find the apostles all sharpening weapons while discussing the growing challenges of Jesus’s ministry. One particular challenge is that Simon the Zealot has had members of his former Order track him to the area and he is unwilling to go to Jesus with this information. Gaius also finds himself in a difficult situation when Quintus shows his disapproval of how the tent city is being handled. Quintus demands that Gaius use a heavier hand with the tent city, but he finds himself unable to actually do this when he sees the people.

Next, we see the consequences of Andrew and Phillip’s preaching near the Decapolis when Jesus sent them out two by two. Not just the Jews, but all groups are hungry for more teaching from Jesus. Leander, a citizen of the Decapolis, convinces the apostles to return and continue the mission. Mary and Tamar then sus out some tensions. The different experiences, backgrounds, and talents lead to unique challenges faced by the two of them. Mary is insecure with her past and still feels an unworthiness. Tamar shares some of her past including the murder of her father and mother. Through their hardships they grow closer and are able see their complimentary strengths. With this new cooperation, the women come up with a solution to the bad tasting olives in Zebedee’s new grove.

Atticus turns out to be Pontius’ date in the countryside. In their friendly banter, we learn that Pilate is concerned about any growing conflicts in Israel wants to lessen the force that Rome has to use to control the region. Pontius thanks Atticus for his intelligence and asks that he return to Capernaum and keep an eye on Jesus. Simon and Eden are having a rather uncomfortable dinner as Simon attempts to compliment her wonderful meal. They are interrupted by John and Big James who say that two disciples of John the Baptist have a special message for Jesus. Simon attempts to turn them away and return to his wife and meal, but she has left the table when he closes the door.

Simon the Zealot is sitting in the tent city formed at the edge of town when a few nefarious characters surround him. It is clear that they are here to do Simon great harm, but he tells them that the mission of the Zealots is no longer required because the Messiah is here and the kingdom of God is at hand. The zealots see Romans and a broken Jewish people and struggle to believe because it is not what they have always expected.

Jesus returns to town and is immediately surrounded by a large crowd. We see him beginning to heal cripples, terrible wounds, the blind, and mute. Eventually some space opens up and Simon presents The Baptizer’s disciples to Jesus. Jesus takes a minute to praise John’s ministry and praise his disciples that recognized the truth in his message of the coming Messiah. After assuring them it is an appropriate venue, John’s disciples ask if Jesus is truly the Messiah. The discussion that ensues demonstrates that the disciples of John had differing expectations about what the Messiah’s plan would be.

Jesus tells the disciples to report to John the wonders that Jesus is performing and that the people are hearing the proclamation of God’s kingdom then sends them on their way. Jesus then turns to the crowds and uses John’s question as a way to instruct the people that even His coming will not remove doubts, questions, or hardships: for John is the greatest among men and the prophet foretold by the prophets of old, yet he doubts.

A Pharisee from the raising of Jairus’s daughter receives a rebuke for rejecting both the persons and message of John and Jesus demonstrating that he will not accept anything he does not already wish to believe. Jesus then turns to the Zealots and warns them not to be blind to the transformation of peoples they know (Simon) and miss out on the good news of the Messiah’s arrival. The tension rises, but Jairus and Gaius step in to disperse the crowds before any eruption occurs. The leading Zealot is in awe of what he has seen and heard. While unwilling to join Simon and Jesus right there, he recognizes that “Simon the Sicarius is dead,” as he departs in peace.

After witnessing all that has transpired, Barnaby leads Shula to Jesus and asks for her eyesight to be restored. Jesus praises the faith and love that Shula and Barnaby have displayed in their time with Him. Jesus then looks upon Shula, blesses her face and restores her sight. Shula quickly turns to Barnaby and asks that it be his turn, but he dismisses the request says maybe another time. Jesus pats Barnaby on the shoulder and praises his friendship as he dismisses Barnaby and Shula for the evening. As they depart Barnaby exclaims, “Wait a minute. My leg!" Jesus responds, “There it is.” Barnaby turns back and lifts Jesus into the air filled with joy.

We end the episode with Simon and Eden in their home. Simon is filled with the excitement of the day, but is interrupted by Eden who says, “I lost the baby.” Eden has to clarify that she was with child before Simon last departed, but that she miscarried and did not tell him to not distract Simon from his mission with Jesus. A difficult fight ensues as a loving couple deals with the hardest thing parents can experience (I expect). Ultimately, both Eden and Simon are left with the question, “Why?”

Megan’s Insight

“I judged your strength against my weakness; pitied myself” - Mary Magdalene

How many times have I done this? I can’t even count the number of times I have looked at an Instagram post and immediately felt like an inadequate wife, mother, homemaker, or homesteader. Instagram isn’t reality. I know that. I know that just outside the frame of the photo is a pile of toys or a basket of unfolded laundry. I know that behind the camera is a broken marriage or an overstimulated mom. But that doesn’t stop the snap comparisons and self-disapproval. Sometimes we only see the best of others, the facade they let the world see. Most people don’t let strangers see their broken and dysfunctional side.

No matter how pretty the Instagram reel may be, we are all messy sinners. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. We all carry a cross. The sooner we realize this, move away from self-pity, and see ourselves as the beloved children of God, the better off we will be. No good comes from comparison, especially when we are comparing someone’s best to our worst. Jesus sees you as someone worth dying for.

Mitchell’s Insight

One of the best things The Chosen has done is fill in all of the gaps found in the gospel narratives. The longest Gospel can be read aloud in under four hours. The Gospels cannot possibly show us all there is to Jesus’s three-year ministry. The Gospel of John in chapter 20 verse 30 has the evangelist tell us, ”Jesus did many other signs in the sight of his disciples that are not recorded in this book.” These are the gaps which The Chosen brings to life with characters we love.

At the end of this episode, we have two of my favorite characters in the series, Barnaby and Shula, experiencing some of these additional wonders. Ever since we met them in the Shabbat dinner at Mary’s home, these faithful followers have warmed our hearts. They have demonstrated their faith in the Messiah, but never asked for his assistance which we can all imagine has been weighing on them in their tougher moments over the months. After all, haven’t they done enough to warrant a healing?

The other aspect of this healing I love so much is the brief comment we get from the disciples talking about how fun the healings are to perform in front of the Pharisees. But, that public display is over. This is a private encounter with no one around. You see, the miracles we read about in the gospels often are used to teach a lesson. They are to fulfill prophecies. They are to demonstrate the power and authority of God possessed by the God-man. The restoration of Shula’s sight and the healing of Barnaby’s leg. These miracles serve another purpose. Shula and Barnaby are healed simply because of God’s superabundant love for a couple of his friends. The Chosen makes God’s loves that much more incarnate.

Michael’s Insight

“Beware of this, Wisdom means nothing if it’s not acted on. Wisdom is justified by all her works.”

As Jesus is addressing the crowd, He delivers the last part of this line while looking directly at the Pharisee. This is an important lesson for all of us Christians to remember. Yes, we know God, we know that He suffered death and rose again to forgive our sins, and all that knowledge is great. But unless we live our lives in accordance with His will and confirm this knowledge with action, then this knowledge will never become wisdom.

Wisdom is ability to act upon knowledge through discernment, giving us the opportunity to choose good over evil. We can have the knowledge that an act is either good or evil, but if we do not use discernment to choose the good, then we do not possess wisdom.

This is reenforced in James 2:14-18:

What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.

Take to Prayer

Is there a struggle that you have ever believed was not Jesus’s problem? Have you withheld asking Our Lord for healing because He was needed somewhere else? Our Lord is not too busy to answer every need of all his children. Take these struggles before God and ask for help.

Bible Verses

Dream of Pilot’s Wife

Matthew 27:19

Messengers from John the Baptist

Matthew 11:2-24

Luke 7:18-35