‘The Chosen’ must-see television series

A friend asked me last year during the pandemic lockdown if I had watched “The Chosen.” That’s the first I’d heard about the television series.

The eight-episodes of Season One debuted online in 2019. Creator/Director Dallas Jenkins plans to film seven seasons. As I write this, there’s one more episode of Season Two to be released. The best description I’ve read about “The Chosen” reads, “Seeing Jesus through the eyes of those who knew Him.”

Actors portray people found in the Gospels. Having watched both seasons, I can say they make the Bible come alive. Of course, Jesus is the focus of each episode. It’s about His life. You meet each of the disciples – Simon Peter, Andrew, Matthew, John, Phillip and others as Jesus calls each one to “Follow Me.”

When Jesus instructs Peter and the other fishermen to cast their nets again after they had caught nothing all night, their boat almost capsizes because of the abundance of fish overflowing the nets.

Mary Magdalene has a life-changing encounter with Jesus. Nicodemus secretly meets with Jesus at night on a rooftop. The religious leader was searching for answers from Jesus. Their conversation comes from the Gospel of John chapter three. In fact, most of the dialogue of each episode comes from the Bible.

“The Chosen” stays faithful to Scripture. Its production team seeks guidance from Protestant, Catholic and Jewish New Testament scholars. Some episodes begin with a flashback to the Old Testament showing how it connects with the Gospels. The Bible doesn’t tell us every detail about every person and everything that happens; but this television series does a great job depicting Middle Eastern life and the stories of Jesus’ times. Surprisingly, it’s not filmed in a foreign country or even Hollywood – but rather in Texas.

By downloading “The Chosen” free app, you can watch Season One and Season Two for free on your phone or tablet. If you own a smart TV, you can cast episodes onto a large screen. Episodes can also be viewed on “The Chosen” YouTube channel and via livestream on their Facebook page.

The financing for “The Chosen” production is nothing short of miraculous. Through crowdfunding more than $10 million was raised from over 16,000 initial investors, making it the top crowdfunded TV or film in history.

People continue to give financial support Season Two and half of Season Three have been funded. Many viewers “pay it forward” so others can see “The Chosen.” It’s reportedly become a worldwide phenomenon because the episodes can be streamed or downloaded in 148 countries and 52 languages. According to their app, “The Chosen” has had over 207,000,000 views.

“The Chosen” has its critics. But, I believe it tells the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a unique way that’s touching hearts – both believers and non-believers. Viewers’ messages to the production team tell of reading the Bible more than ever before.

Through this retelling of the Greatest Story Ever Told, viewers hear the words of Jesus as He tells us, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34 NKJ).

Jan White is a wife, mother, and freelance writer who lives in Andalusia. Her email address is [email protected].