I’ve never been much of a watcher. Losing myself in a good book has always been my default mode when there’s leisure time to be had.
But that’s changed.
A few months ago, I started seeing something called The Chosen popping up in my social media news feeds. Since I don’t watch television, I didn’t pay any attention.
Then came my staycation—a week off from work and nowhere to go. When I saw that Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix had begun watching The Chosen, I was intrigued. As far as I knew, he wasn’t much of a watcher either. “Let’s check it out,” I told my husband.
Oh my GOODNESS.
If you haven’t taken the time to view this incredibly beautiful, witty, human, faithful and tender portrayal of Jesus Christ and His disciples, please do. Beyond how deeply moving it is (keep a box of tissues handy) one of the things that I love is that The Chosen was made totally outside of Tinseltown. Edgy Hollywood execs had nothing to do with this extraordinary endeavor.
The Chosen is the first-ever multi-season show about Jesus and is the number one highest crowd-funded project of all time at $10 million from over 19,000 fans. The series has been translated into 50 languages and counting and is consistently ranked in the top 50 entertainment apps on iPhone and Android.
And, it’s completely FREE to watch. Viewers have the opportunity to help the series grow and have already raised enough money for the development of a second season.
From the compelling drama to the beautiful cinematography and achingly haunting soundtrack, The Chosen makes you want to draw closer to Jesus, to know Him better and invite Him more deeply into the everyday moments and messiness of your life.
And the scene with the woman at the well? I could weep thinking of it, and yet, I also want to cheer and fall to my knees. Who is this Man who loves us in the midst of darkness? How can it be that each of us is loved so thoroughly, so undeservedly?
As a Catholic Christian, I was astonished at the beautiful portrayal of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The Chosen’s director is Evangelical and yet took pains to make ensure Catholics would not be offended by any unintentional misrepresentation of the role of Mary in Jesus’ life.
Mary’s frantic search for a 12-year-old Jesus after He went missing for three days hits the mark for any parent whose child has wandered away, even briefly. And the wedding at Cana—wow! “Do whatever He tells you.” Those words echo down through history, urging us to do the same.
At a time when the movie and television industry are unapologetically hostile toward people of faith and the saving message of Jesus Christ, The Chosen offers a glimpse into what happens when faith, beauty and talent collide.
As the show’s catchy slogan goes, Get Used to Different.
