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After 35 years of being a Christian, I’ve seen a lot of “Jesus movies” and shows portraying our Lord. There was 1977’s “Jesus of Nazareth “, where Jesus seemed like a beautiful mystical disappointed zombie, and that expression NEVER CHANGED throughout the entire movie. There was 1973 (and many times redone) Jesus Christ Superstar, which totally ROCKED musically, but focused on Jesus’ angst, yet none of his love and power. There was 1988 The Last Temptation of Christ with Willem Dafoe, which I actually never saw but remember hearing just toyed with the concept of sin. And there was 2004 The Passion of the Christ, which plopped us into the worst days of Jesus life without getting to know who he was and how he got there. 

Each of these portrayals focused on a truth about Jesus. But in The Chosen, we are given the chance to get to know him, both over time in multiple seasons and episodes vs. a 2-hr limited span, and in everyday life, not just a highlight reel. This is how Jesus was with his disciples- he gave them his time, his everyday life, his humanity.

But for me, it’s also a deep issue. I am a hedonist. I am drawn to joy and fun. If I’m to be chosen, I want the one I’m chosen by to have a twinkle in his eye, to be enjoying his mission. 

I used to feel guilty about this. “I must be pretty shallow, to only want fun all the time.” Then God showed me in his word that joy and satisfaction is part of his motive too. 

Isaiah 53:11 “After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied.” Isaiah’s prophecy of Jesus’ suffering for us in chapter 53 used to depress me until I noticed this phrase. Jesus, who suffered for me, not only stopped suffering, but he sees the light of life and he is satisfied. He sees me and is satisfied. He is content. Happy. Fulfilled. When I meet him, we are going to have FUN!

My Jesus enjoys his work. My Jesus isn’t going to hold his suffering over my head. He has no trace of bitterness or punishment. He is like God, who loved creating us and adores us and enjoys being with us. He gets serious and he suffers to protect those he loves and enjoys. 

I’m chosen to follow him? Sign me up!