Most of us were probably impacted by a portrayal of Jesus on film. It might have been a classic adaptation like The Greatest Story Ever Told with Max von Sydow or a more contemporary version like The Passion of the Christ with Jim Caviezel.
I was most impacted by The Visual Bible: Matthew with Bruce Marchiano. This film followed Jesus and His disciples for over four hours in a verse-by-verse depiction of the book of Matthew. There was nothing spoken or added except these verses. The portrayal of Jesus by Marchiano was also one of the most endearing and compassionate performances I had seen.
When The Chosen aired in 2019, I was skeptical, not knowing much about the production or vision for the show. I casually watched the first two episodes with little focus on the show itself. But by the third episode, I was hooked. I cried multiple times watching it, and my wife and I rewatched it again with our kids.
Often, we can read Bible passages in a matter of minutes that cover years and even decades in people’s lives. I think about what happened in the gaps and what the characters in the Bible must have been feeling as they went through different circumstances. The disciples of Jesus were normal people. They had passions, dreams, desires, fears of Roman control and longings for the promised Messiah. The Chosen does an excellent job of showing what some of these interactions not specifically stated in the Bible might have resembled, without compromising the hearts of the characters.
In my conversation with Jonathan Roumie, who stars as Jesus in the series, I discuss some of his previous acting roles, which you may not be familiar with, as well as his start in acting. It is encouraging to see him live out his faith in real life and not just on the screen.
We discuss the the emotional role of playing Jesus and doing his best to bring the project to life for viewers. The series is not only a faith booster but also a witnessing tool for many who may have never read the Bible.
Now that Season 2 of the The Chosen is released, take some time to listen to my conversation with Roumie on Episode 17 of the Everyday Discernment Podcast on Charisma Podcast Network and get to know the man who has, in my opinion, done an amazing job of bringing the compassion and conviction of Jesus to life. {eoa}
Tim Ferrara has grown up in the church and has held various leadership positions both in business and in the church. Tim is currently the executive pastor at LifePoint Church in Arizona. He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Arizona State University, along with an M.B.A. from University of Phoenix. He has had a career in business management for over 20 years and has worked as faculty for two different colleges.
Tim started the ministry of Discerning Dad as a way to write and encourage Christians to grow in discernment and make better decisions that honor God. He has a book called Everyday Discernment: The Importance of Spirit-Led Decision Making and well as multiple YouVersion Bible Plans. Tim lives with his wife, Jamie, and their two children in Arizona.
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