Welcome to this week's blog. Today let's focus on a series that my husband and I found a while ago. Today we are going to take a look inside the series, The Chosen. To date, there are 47,400,486 views of this show, and the ticker changing by the second. And now available in 50 different languages. But I'm confident that as soon as I post this blog, the numbers have already increased as this show has gone viral. The Chosen is a first-time ever, multi-season series based on the true stories of the gospels of Jesus Christ (also known as Jesus of Nazareth) 2000 years ago.
Their logo is unbelievable and just beautiful once you figure it out. At least I think I've figured it out! It's called "Against the Current" as a much deeper meaning than fish in the water all traveling the same direction, following each other, until you start seeing one, then two, and then more fish turning around and choosing to go another direction, against the current. I believe the metaphor is we, God's children are going "Against the Current." We are fish traveling through life in the same direction. But then there are those of us who are called by God. Once these fish understand their calling, and choose to follow Christ, our Lord, then these fish quickly turn around, change color (aqua green), and are choosing to go the opposite way or against the current of the other fish who choose things of this world, and not seeking the Kingdom first. It is also fun to sing along with the theme song - Walk on the Water (feat. Ruby Amanfu), and watch how the fish turn from their earthly ways to following Jesus of Nazareth.
It doesn't get any better than this. Scripture based, this is an amazing series of biblical stories and parables in the life and times of Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago, depicted straight from scripture. You can pin point every character back to the Bible (see the biblical character list below). So far, we've watched the entire Series 1 (8 episodes) multiple times, with beautifully depictions of Jesus, His teachings, His interactions with His disciples, the Romans, and those who received His miraculous healing.
Main Cast (Biblical Characters):
Jonathan Roumie as Jesus
Shayan Fazli as young Jesus (episode 5)
Erick Avari as Nicodemus
Elizabeth Tabish as Mary Magdalene
Camila Carreon as young Mary Magdalene (episode 1)
Shahar Isaac as Simon Peter
Noah James as Andrew
Paras Patel as Matthew
George Harrison Xanthis as John
Kian Kavousi (episodes 5-8) and Shayan Sobhian (episodes 1-4) as Big James
Giavani Cairo as Thaddaeus
Jordan Walker Ross as Little James
Joey Vahedi as Thomas
Supporting Cast (Biblical Characters):
Vanessa Benavente as Mary
Sara Anne as young Mary (pilot episode)
David Amito as John the Baptist
Special Participation Cast (Biblical Characters):
Raj Bond as Joseph
Aaron Himelstein as Simon, the shepherd (pilot episode)
Nick Shakoour as Zebedee
Nina Leon as Salome
Lara Silva as Eden, Simon Peter's wife
Yasmine Al-Bustami as Ramah, Thomas' partner
Ivan Jasso as Yussif, a Pharisee
Shaan Sharma as Shmuel, a Pharisee
Brandon Potter as Praetor Quintus, a Roman official
Kirk B.R. Woller as Gaius, a Roman centurion and associate of Matthew
Troy Caylak as Alphaeus, Matthew's father
Stephen Hailo as the leper
Amber Shana Williams as Tamar, a friend of the paralytic
Noé de la Garza as the paralytic
Leticia Magaña as Dasha, Simon Peter's mother-in-law
Vanessa De Silvio as Photina, the Samaritan woman at the well
Guests Cast (Biblical Characters):
Stelio Savante as Moses (episode 7)
Amato D'Apolito as Jacob (episode 8)
Below is the episode list from 2017 (1) and 2019 (8) that are absolutely the best, with more to come for Season 2.
2017
The Sheppard
2019
I Have Called You by Name
Shabbat
Jesus Loves the Little Children
The Rock in Which it is Built
The Wedding Gift
Indescribable Compassion
Invitations
I AM HE
The four co-owners of The Chosen (along with their 19,000 investors from around the world), all in one place for the first time. From L to R, Derral Eves, Dallas Jenkins, Earl Seals, and Ricky Ray Butler just wrapped up in Texas as they narrowed their options for where they would be in the future.
The entire original series is about the life of Christ through the eyes of those who encountered Him. The first season (2019) was financed by over 15,000 people from around the world to the tune of over $10 million, which shattered the all-time media crowd-funding record. "This wasn’t financed by a TV network or a big movie studio, so we’re doing this outside the system. You can own the first four episodes at www.thechosen.tv, and as long as you keep supporting and loving this project, we'll keep making more episodes and seasons."
The Chosen series is the #1 most crowdfunded media project of all time, and the first-ever multi-season show about the life of Christ. Director, Dallas Jenkins tells us that most scenes from The Chosen are more about "human emotions." The directors were not interested in portraying a series of big miracles, so the audience would be wowed, and find the miracles really cool. This series is about the people. The stunts and special effects are actually intended to be as simple as possible, so as to not distract us from what the story is really about...it's about how people responded to Jesus during His time here on earth 2,000 years ago. How cool is this!
There are many great quotes from Jesus in this movie, but one of my favorites is when people surrender their life and follow Him, he says to them "Get Use to Different."
This is SPOT ON! When you turn your life over to Jesus, get use to different. Get use to people rejecting you, disowning you, criticizing you, judging you, picking on you, laughing at you, mocking you, telling others in their circle you are "crazy." The cruel treatment goes on. Get ready for family, friends, and even strangers to reject you, calling you a preacher, and saying we don't need a preacher. I've already directly experienced this with one of my closet family members who said to me "we don't need a preacher." I had another family member say to me "take me off your email list, because I have my own God, and I don't need your God." I also, literally had a friend from Minnesota say to me in an email after she received my blog on one Sunday morning, "FUCK OFF!" Yes, this is a horrible and cruel way to be treated when trying to spread the good news of Jesus, and the gospel.
But God tells us throughout the Bible, and also in The Chosen, that Jesus from Nazareth was also rejected, condemned, ridiculed, and mocked for His teachings, preaching, and His healing. We were made in His image, and we are His advocates; therefore, we too will be criticized for being martyrs for Jesus. This is what is meant by "Get Use to Different!" If you believe you are on this earth to win a popularity contest, and you feel compelled to remain at the top of the popularity list, then you are sadly going to perish because you clearly haven't found Jesus.
I'm not here to be accepted and admired by man. I am not here to be a "pillar of the community," a celebrity, or to have my name in lights. I am not here to compete with my neighbors, friends or enemies. I am not here to be better than others. I am not here to hold the best job, house, and community status. I know my purpose. I am here for one main purpose. I am here, and called to do God's work, that is to be a fisherman of men, leading my family, friends, and as many people as I can to Christ before He returns. I work for the Lord, storing up my treasures for Heaven, not storing up my treasures on earth.
This movie series has hugely impacted my husband's and my life. It has impacted my life in such a way that has shown me what Jesus would have been like hanging out with Him. The emotions come through the characters, just as if we were sitting right there ourselves with Jesus, just hanging out and listening to His teachings. The show depicts a wonderful, loving Jesus who also has a sense of humor. This emotional angle gives me a sense of bonding, a loving relationship with Him that is a different experience then reading the Bible, and studying His word. It truly feels like this series has brought the Bible ALIVE! By bringing the Bible alive, I can't imagine why this wouldn't help those who struggle to read and understand the Bible. Although the two should always go hand in hand. This show has revealed to me wonderful emotions and excitement in my relationship with Jesus. Now I can feel, and see what a relationship with Jesus in person would really be like. There is no better feeling in the world.
This biblical series will change your life too. It has changed ours. It has shown us what it would have been like to walk next to Jesus (God in the flesh) 2,000 years ago and even today. It shows us His deep love for His children, young and old. It depicts the many miraculous healing He performed in front of many witnesses. There are scenes that will break you down and cry. Somehow, we feel God's presence in a very powerful way. The show gives us a revelation of Jesus in the flesh. There are scenes that will make you laugh, as Jesus too has a sense of humor.
One of our favorite episodes was #8 (I AM HE). The Samaritan woman at the well was just a heartfelt scene. It will bring you to tears. It is so beautiful what Jesus says and does when He wants you to pay attention to Him. I am like the Samaritan woman at the well when Jesus introduced Himself to her, when at a certain point in their conversation she realized He truly was the Christ. At first, she thought He was a Jew, and thought why in the world would a Jewish man want to talk to a Samaritan woman? She felt unworthy of His time. Once
she realized He was the Christ, she said "I'm going to tell everyone!" as she ran off screaming with joy that she had met Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ face to face. There are so many other awesome lines in the show, but some of my favorite follow:
Jesus said, "If we're going to have a question and answer session every time we do something you're not use to...it's going to be a very annoying time together for all of us."
Jesus said, "I see you."
Jesus said, "God will be most pleased with those of you who are peacemakers."
Moses said, "I've learned to do what He says, without question."
Jacob said, "We didn't choose Him...He chose us!"
Mary said, "I follow Him, and not the other way around!"
Mary said, "I was one way, and now I'm completely different. And the thing that happened in between...was Him."
Peter said, "Anything you ask, and I will do."
So why a show about Jesus? Because Jesus is our creator, He is our rock, He is our healer, He loves all of His children. He is our teacher, our preacher, our miracle worker. He is all we need in this life. And most importantly, He is our Savior and our Redeemer! Without Him we are NOTHING. He tells us we are ESSENTIAL, not ACCIDENTAL. With Him, we are promised an eternal life with Him when we leave this world, if we obey Him when He says, "Follow Me."
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to "hang out" with Jesus, and walk with Him side-by-side daily, laugh with Him, pray with Him, eat, drink, and celebrate with Him, listen attentively to His invaluable teachings, The Chosen has captured this experience, and brought it to life for all of us. This series gives us a wonderful idea of what it would be like to have a deep relationship with Jesus, sitting next to Him daily, and just hanging out with Him! Wonderful, I can't say enough about this show, and how it's changed our relationship with Christ...it makes my husband and I desire more, and draw even closer to Him.
The Chosen makes us want to go deeper in our relationship with our Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth! God Bless the mission of the directors, and the cast of this show, who are leading more and more people to Christ, the Lord.
Biblical history is not just history recorded, archived, and then stored away to gather dust in some random historical building. But it is more about real life people who truly "lived it." These aren't fictional characters in The Chosen. These are real people who lived 2,000 years ago, and walked along side of Jesus, and who followed Him. The Chosen has captured the practical side of history, and brought the history of our ancestors to life.
God has His hand on this one! God is in complete control! Hence, why there is a show about Jesus! Blessings until next week,
Debra M. Pauli Unstoppable Believer
Scripture Quotes: Holy Bible: New International Version (NIV) / English Standard Version (ESV)
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Copyright © 2020 by Debra M. Pauli @ Pauli Publishing House (PPH) disclaimer: All rights reserved. No part of these writings may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission from the author.