Bonkers over The Chosen

If you know me, you might have noticed that I have gone a little “bonkers” over a new series on the life of Jesus.  I would like to tell you some of the reasons.

This series is like none I have ever seen.  And believe me; I have seen most movies, shows, or series. I like some of them very much. Some older movies about Jesus are just OK, cheesy, and too “Hollywood.” The Chosen is none of these.  The acting is superb, the sets are authentic, the costumes look real, and the actors are even dirty and sweaty, as would have been the case in Israel in the First Century.  Authentic sets and great acting are great, but there are two other things that have really sold me on telling everyone I know about The Chosen.

How They Portray Jesus

Number one, Jesus is wonderfully portrayed by an actor named Jonathan Roumie.  Jonathan portrays Jesus as human, relational, relatable, kind, fun, playful–and God.  The writers, directors, and other crew have, of course, given Mr. Roumie the material with which to work.  Because The Chosen is mostly about how the people who encountered Jesus were transformed, the “imagined” back stories about those people contribute to the wonder and authenticity of the show. Jesus, Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene, Simon, Andrew, Matthew and others seem so real and three dimensional that the words of my Bible now leap off the page!

The better one knows the Bible, the more one sees little things in the stories. As the creator, Dallas Jenkins, says, “The Chosen is not to take the place of Scripture.” So we can’t approach the series as a replacement, but watching the episodes is sending many viewers to the Scriptures in a new way. The non-verbal communication is superb, and looks alone show us how relatable Jesus is.  In the face of Simon’s cheating, doubting, and striving to get out of his messes, when he looks up from his knees at the face of Jesus, there is not one drop of condemnation on that face.  This is something that many in our world need to know.

The Chosen is “Free” All Over the World

Aside from the portrayal of Jesus and the awesome other characters, my heart burst with excitement when Mr. Jenkins announced that the new app was going to be released so that anyone in the world could watch The Chosen episodes “free.”  They came up with a plan whereby those who can Pay It Forward would pay for those who cannot afford to pay. (Streaming costs the streamer money. Sometimes one has to wait for a free stream to come available, but it is possible to watch all eight episodes free.) In addition, the Pay It Forward is the financial path to future seasons.

Notice I said, “All over the world.”  That is when I went bonkers.  Just since Thanksgiving the number of views has surpassed 4,000,000.  The ticker on the app goes faster every day and over 180 countries are involved in some way.

I Can See Countries Where I Helped Someone Watch

“All over the world” reminds me of the Great Commission. And when I can personally see on my app, the countries where I have paid for someone to watch, and even get a thank you note from them, it is a feeling like no other.  I cannot go to Indonesia, Egypt, or China to share Jesus, but someone there saw John 3 with Nicodemus and Jesus talking about being born again because I paid it forward. This is why I am bonkers.

Check Out How You Can Go “Bonkers” Over a New Series for Yourself

So, check it out on facebook or youtube.  There are many videos from behind the scenes, how the project came about, and interviews. Download the app at the App Store or Google Play and see for yourself. I was so bonkers when I first saw the finished episodes of Season One that I told my grandchildren I would give them $50 if they watched all 8 episodes. It would be the best money I’ve spent in a long time. At this writing 3 have taken me up on my offer. For Christmas, my granddaughter, Brenna, painted this picture for me.  I cried when I opened it.  She understood why I am bonkers.