The Chosen Season One Episode One "I have called you by name."

I came upon The Chosen last year but only in passing on social media. I heard about it again and again from my mother and even bought her the season one DVD as a present. But back in March I decided to invest my time in watching and viewing it myself. This show is incredible for so many reasons. First, I love it because it brings Bible stories to life visually with imagination and creativity. Secondly, I love anything which brings us closer to discovering more about Jesus and pushing us into reading the Scripture more. Finally, it is a show created by the son of the man who wrote the Left Behind novels. I cannot take the time right now to explain how important Jerry Jenkins is to my life. For now I hope that my review leads you to want to watch this show on your own and draws you closer to Jesus. 

It is important to note right at the start this is a work of Historical fiction. There is plenty of backstory we do not know but there is creative license granted to tell the story. Dallas never pretends to add to the Word of God or take away from it. The story telling is fabulous and helps put the very real events and people into perspective. 

The backstory of Mary of Magdala is precious from a father's perspective. I love the relationship he has with his daughters and how he shows his love and faith to her. They quote the Prophet Isaiah to help her remember who created her and loves her. 

But now, this is what the Lord says, He who is your Creator, Jacob,
And He who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
Isaiah 43:1

Nicodemus (/nɪkəˈdiːməs/; Greek: Νικόδημος, translit. Nikódēmos) was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin

Nicodemus enters the scene pulled by horses along with his wife. I am a big fan of Erik Avari who plays Nicodemus. His portrayal of the Pharisee known as the one whom Jesus met by night is so stunning I forget he is acting much of the time. He truly captures both the religious zeal as well as the wonder of the Jewish mind. He reminds us it is important to not just be teachers but students as well. We meet the Roman Quintus here as well but I will talk more about him soon enough.

Paras Patel who plays Matthew does a great job brining life to the first of the twelve apostles we meet. Matthew is a Jewish Tax Collector working of course for Rome while at the same time acting as a traitor to his people. He would have been very wealthy as well as highly intelligent. Tax collectors were also excellent note takers and he would have been skilled in writing short hand. This no doubt made it easier for him to write down all of the things Jesus did and said in the Sermon on the Mount as well as his other works. Matthew as we see early on is not liked by his Jewish community.

                                                Nicodemus tells a Dead Sea joke! :)   

We begin to see the backstory leading up to Simon and Andrew here. Nicodemus mentions how people were fishing on Shabbat. This would be the holy day once a week where no one was allowed to do any work. Sabbath goes back to the beginning of Creation where God rested on the Sabbath day. One day out of the week to rest is a good thing. I never considered any Jewish fishermen breaking the rule to fish but the logic is clear and makes sense to build up the events to come. 

Nicodemus points out that what goes into the body of a man defiles him. This is an important insight into their belief system going along with what is clean and unclean. Jesus will say the opposite later as we see in the book of Matthew:

10Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand. 11A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.” 12Then the disciples came to Him and said, “Are You aware that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”
Matthew 15:10-12

It is no wonder the Pharisees will be offended. I kind of laugh when the disciples ask Jesus this question. It is almost as if Jesus is making a point to clear away these misconceptions. I appreciate forward thinking of Dallas and the writers in this scene. 

Mary of Magdala is now an adult and living in the Red Quarter of the city. She is possessed by many demons and requires intervention from the holy men. I like the background and set up they give Mary here. We do not know much from the Bible about her prior life other than Jesus frees her from the demonic stronghold. Nicodemus attempts and fails to free her in this scene which is very interesting. Nicodemus sees only God could free her from the evil. 

We also meet Shaan Sharma who plays Shmuel a student of Nicodemus. I like Shmuel already, because his heart is in the right place trying to follow the Law. There is a fascinating relatinonship between the teacher and student with these two. 

Andrew and Simon are the next two disciples we meet during some excitement. Again building up the backstory to Simon is terrific and the two actors who play the brothers do a wonderful job. We learn they are fishermen which we know from the Scriptures already. The idea that they may have been involved in gambling and fist fights is speculation but fascinating as well. They make a great team.

 

                A reference to John the Baptist. We know Andrew is one of those who follows John's teachings in the wilderness and the Jordan river. John was known for eating locusts and wild honey, so that is pretty funny when Simon mentions him. We also see how desperate Simon is to continue making a living and providing for his family. Intense and passionate people do not always act rationally. 

I am with Nicodemus on this one. Only God can free her. And indeed He will!

Simon's wife Eden is played marvelously as well. The on screen chemistry is powerful and it is clear how much he loves his wife and respects her. I adore the name Eden by the way, I am not sure we know of the real name of his wife but this one works well. It is a nice throwback to the garden of Eden where Adam and Even were created. I love how Simon just creeps in trying to be unnoticed, Good humor in this show, a reminder that God does love laughter. 

Mary in desperation reciting the Scripture her father used to teach her. The recalling of who she once was is lost quickly by the darkness which overtakes her. She is not even known as Mary by anyone anymore but goes by a different name. We watch as she spirals down into the depths of her own existence until she is ready to end her own life. 

Lilith (Mary) only has one escape from her hell she is living in and that is the local tavern. It is in this dark place she can at least drink away from her problems and try to find some way to forget. It is important to note she is giving away the doll she held onto since she was a little girl. When someone begins giving away things that are the most important to them it is a huge red flag. We see now Lilith is contemplating ending her own life. 

We could easily contrast Nicodemus and his wife's relationship with the relationship of Simon and Eden, more so in other episodes. Here it is clear Nicodemus is still very troubled in his inability to cast out the demons. He is confused and asking questions. His wife reminds him he is the teacher of Israel. I do believe as teachers we never should stop asking questions and never stop learning. I do wish his wife was more supportive. Clearly you can see he respects her and most likely she is the only one in his life who he allows speak to him in that manner. 

 

An interesting contrast to see the worried look of Matthew as he heads to the Tax office, and the look of determination on Andrew even though he does not have enough money to pay his tax. 

Nicodemus trying to talk others and himself into the reason why he was unable to remove the demons from Mary. 

Souls are beyond human aid but not the aid of the Water of Life! I love this shot of the water following Nicodemus' speech. 

Before Mary could end her own life she is distracted by this bird which will lead her to her redemption. Reminds me of almost every episode of Touched by an Angel. 

So there is a lot to be said about the setting up of the animosity between Simon and Andrew and Matthew. We know as Taxman Matthew would be despised. So it is not hard to believe he would have run into the brothers in this manner. I personally enjoy the backstory development as it adds a lot of flavor and imagination. I remind my kids that Bible stories have been told for thousands of years with each story tellers own creativity. In this case it only gives us plenty of points to use as future sermon illustrations. Having the brothers so horribly in debt in taxes does set up the future encounter with Jesus and the fish, so that is fun. 

I was not completely sold on the idea that Simon would make a deal with the Romans to turn in fishermen but it makes for a good backstory to his own admission of being a sinful man. Anytime Quintus shows up it is rather fun as well, he is a rather well played Roman.

Finally, Jesus arrives on the scene and the demons inside Mary are not happy about it!

                                                I HAVE CALLED YOU BY NAME

 

Many years later at the garden tomb Jesus will once again say "Mary" and she will run to him. I cannot help but imagine that being the perfect bookend to her journey which truly begins fresh in this moment. 

 YOU ARE MINE

If you did not already have your tissue box ready, you should have it by now! Truly, truly one of the most powerful moments of the series and its only the first episode.

Beautiful episode from beginning to end! Truly one of the best shows right now and amazing Bible story telling. I look forward to reviewing the next episode for this blog. Thank you for your time. God bless you!