Did Jesus ever laugh? Too bad our red-letter Bibles don’t come in script form with bracketed cues: [laugh here].
I’ve recently gotten a brand-new perspective on Jesus, not only on His sense of humor, but also on the depth of His compassion and love.
Have you heard about the EIGHT-YEAR project that will portray His life in full, colorful detail, while remaining true to the biblical account? Called The Chosen, it’s the first of its kind and promises to be seismic in its effect. Eight episodes per season, with Season One now available on apps and DVD.
If you have a smart phone or an iPad, you can get the free app—or watch the first full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=craeyJdrCsE
Jesus laughs a lot in this series. He jokes with his disciples, plays games with children, 
dances at the Cana wedding, chooses the most unlikely people. The production is believable in all its exquisite detail. You’ll meet Mary of Magdala, before and after her exorcism. Nicodemus, searching for truth and being drawn to Jesus. Matthew the outcast tax collector who finds himself hosting a banquet that night. Simon, reduced to fishing illegally on the Sabbath, only to get the most improbable catch of all.
In chatting about the project, the director and the actor who plays Jesus spoke about the final season that will portray Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion. “Jesus” said he already felt the weight of it and knew he could do it only with God’s backing to help him convey the deep meaning of those terrible events.
I’m hooked on this amazing drama. Hollywood has no hand in it. The entire project is CrowdFunded and produced by talented and committed Christians. Episode 1 is free; the entire, 8-episode season is $35 for the full app or 3 DVD discș—hardly more than the price of two movie tickets. Subtitles help with the Israeli accent.
Eight years to finish this project. Will I be here that long? Not likely, but either way, I’ll experience the victorious results of these earthly events.
Have you seen any of this series? If so, I’d love your assessment. If not, then see the preview links below. Comment, or email egus@me.com
You’ll love the fishing one–4th row, left. https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=AwrEeJ4cNTReWxcArgEPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTByMjB0aG5zBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw–?p=the+chosen&fr=yhst-goodsearch-goodsearch_yhs&hspart=goodsearch&hsimp=yhs-goodsearch_yhs&gdpr=0
Hi Ellie
I just finished watching ‘the fisherman” and the “paralytic “ with Jan Kuehne . It was fantastic!
Can’t wait to see the rest of season one.
With love,
Lyn
You can watch all of Season One free right now on “The Chosen” app, just look it up where you get your apps and you can connect it directly to your streaming device. Or get the DVD in the gift store. Enjoy! 🙂
Dallas, you blew me away! Thanks for both comments! I’m doing my best to spread the word.
Just love your portrayal of our Lord’s personality , his amazing love and compassion and yes his sense of humour! I cannot wait fur series 2 I would love to purchase them onDVD did my 86 year old mam who died not get on well with modern technology . Are they on same here in the UK? 😊
Loved it and rewatching over and over! I laugh , I cry it is so JESUS!!
Great write-up about a great series Ellie!! I certainly hope that many of your blog followers will follow your lead to FOLLOW HIM in this wonderful TV series!! I have already “binge-watched” the entire Season 1, as well as watching it one (or two…) episodes at a time with friends. Very family-friendly, except perhaps Episode 1 which focuses on Mary of Magdala in her demon-possessed state…; & because it is *very real*, could be upsetting to younger children. All other episodes would be a great opportunity for family & friends of all faiths or no faith, to gather for movie nights together, getting to know Jesus better, or perhaps, for the first time!
Thanks, Carolyn.Yes, the first episode could be labeled PG, and getting introduced to the major characters does take some concentration. But once you get comfortable with each of the complex character–WHAT A RIDE!
Well Ellie, you will remember the cover to my book, Jesus playing ring around the rosy. And one of my chapters has several pages on the Humor of Christ. Of course, a book came out about 50 years ago with that title. I have a book in Spanish, “Humor in the Old Testament” by a Colombian theologian.Not sure when I will download the first season; gotta get an Ipad, I guess. Love you both.
The “ring around the rosy” children’s game is a referece to the bubonic plague (the so-called Black Death of the 13th century. It is highly unlikely that Jesus would have played it with children in the 1st century CE. In fact, the very idea is bizarre.
Well! How interesting to have a conversation going on this! Any response, Bob?
Ellie filling in Bob:’s response: Denis. Thank you for offering your knowledge about the origin of the game “ring around the rosy”. I was not quite prepared for a literal interpretation mentioning a a well-known children’s game. The idea was simply to indicate that Jesus surely played children’s games. With your knowledge of game origins, I would be obliged to have the name of some games played by children in the first century AD. We can then change /substitute the reference. To be more exact with my words, the picture on the cover of my book (Play: a Christian Perspective) was done (and used by permission) by Mark Keathley, who titled his own artwork, “The Dance of Grace”. [Bob would like to show his cover, but I don’t know how to make that happen.]
The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus fully participated in all the major Jewish festivals. These lasted for a week with activities of eating, dancing, playing instruments and singing (and sacrifices /worship). It would take little imagination to understand that if Jesus came to all these festivals, he participated in the celebrative activities. These celebrations were the highest form or expression of play, celebrating / remembering God’s redemptive acts in history.
Bob
It is available on Dvd as well!
Ellie,
Thank you, this description of the series sounds fantastic and I can’t wait to see it! I never would have know about it if it weren’t for you. Love to you and Jim.
You can watch the season right now free on “The Chosen” app, just download it wherever you get your apps. Free and easy. 🙂
Thanks for this info. No
, I hadn’t heard about this series. Sounds like something I need.
Everyone needs it, I can promise you will NOT be disappointed!!!! Beautiful all the way around! ♥️♥️♥️
Hi
One of my college professors said that the tune to Ring Around the Rosie is universal. Very close to the “na-na” song that children say when they stick out their tongue.
That really impressed me, until I was working with a Burmese refugee from a remote village who said he never heard of it. He told me they don’t play games in Burma, they only work! He was a virtual slave so that was probably true. Maybe he was just being shy, but he said he couldn’t remember any songs from his childhood. Sad.
Love the series. I watch the full first season over and over
Hi Ellie, This is a first for me but I just have to say some things. I found the Chosen on Pure Flix. I had not heard about it so it took me a week to watch it. In the mean time I had saw posts on Facebook about it, so I had to watch it. It has changed so many things in my life since then. I have seen all eight episodes several times. I catch something new each time I watch an episode. It is so inspirational and down to earth. People of all ages can relate to what is going on.with the characters. They have a devotional that goes along with the series if you want. Words cannot express how much this series means to me. Dallas Jenkins, the cast and crew all want to put out a project that gives the ability for everyone to feel and see what was going on at that time.
I’ve watched this many, many times, since I discovered it around Christmas time. It is fabulous. So many emotions come over me each time. It is a must see.
If you haven’t seen the Christmas special that started it all, it is equally as amazing. We’ll be watching it every year.
I have seen THE SHEPHERD – the pilot for THE CHOSEN – 22 times and I am blessed every time.
Binge-watched it the first time late at night with my wife. Purchased the DVD’s and watched it with family. It provides new perspectives on life in the times of Jesus.
Yes, I just finished watching the series and I want MORE!!! Jesus is depicted just how I would hope…laughing, loving, full of compassion, fabulous camaraderie…makes you fall in love with Jesus deeper than ever before! Oh how I love my Savior!
Hi Ellie, that was a wonderful review and I love The Chosen! I just wanted to give you some information so you could make a correction. There is no charge for the full app which includes all 8 episodes. It is completely free! In the app is a gift factory where you can purchase the DVD which is $29.99 for DVD or $34.99 for Blu-ray. Thanks for the amazing review!
I am so excited about this series and am trying to encourage my family and friends to try it. I love the portrayal of Jesus’ when Simon Peter shrugs him off about the recasting of his net, how Jesus cracks a joke about Andrew’s dancing, and his teaching and praying with the children. This is how I see our Savior, and it comforts me that he gets me in all my messed up state!
Great article. I came across The Chosen via Youtube trailer and at the time i was not overly excited. Just another Jesus flick. Then i saw The Shepherd on Youtube which became the pilot for The Chosen. So i just had to investigate further.
Of course, this is a TV Show, it’s not meant to be The Bible’s replacement or a word for word rendition. But it so far has been faithful to scripture, then where scripture is silent, it has use poetic licence to fill in the gaps. (Don’t get mad, Shalespeare did it all the time.)
What I don’t think Dallas mentioned was that not only can uou download the app for free but it is possible to cast it to your TV so you are not restrained to a mobile device.
Very well acted. Gripping storylines, even though they have been told again and again already. I think there are many people who have views on Jesus and his teachings but have never read The Bible. Perhaps this might be a good way to find out He did or did not say.
At the bottom of the App it gives you an opportunity, if you are in position to, to Pay-It-Forward so that others all over the world will be able to continue to see these episodes for free. I am so encouraged when I check my app to see where someone was able to see this. Not only in the USA, but I saw Australia, China, Africa, Great Britain, Philippines, Canada and on and on. People in these places that I pray for because we hear of only the disasters happening in their country, are being blessed by having a chance to see this wonderful series. It is beyond rewarding.
In addition to “Paying It Forward” so others can watch for free, you can also buy some cool merchandise, which supports the funding of Season 2 (…and beyond!!). I love my “fish logo” t-shirt and my “Get Used to Different” t-shirt. Check it out:
https://thechosenmerch.com
LOVE THIS SHOW.. CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT SEASON.. I HAVE WATCHED IT TWICE AND INTEND ON WATCHING IT AGAIN..I HAVE LOANED MY DISC TO MY DAUGHTER SO SHE CAN WATCH THIS.. TOLD MY SON ALSO ..THANK YOU FOR THIS SHOW.. GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL INVOLVED IN THE MAKING OF THIS SHOW..
Dear Ellie ,
thank you for promoting this wonderful series! David and I are almost finished with the first season. This has really enhanced my Bible reading, making Jesus and his disciples come alive! My favorite one was Jesus and the children…. thinking that this could really have happened prior to his ministry beginning…. also the loneliness he must’ve felt prior to calling the disciples…
We love the idea of funding it through “pay it forward“.
And that this series goes around the world through our dollars! Thanks again! Telling all of our friends!!