In line with the launching of our YouTube channel, we decided to do it while accomplishing a worthy task. We wanted to share our review of a TV series which has been making waves in the online scene – The Chosen.
So, here we are, introducing you to the IKR YouTube channel and giving you our take on the TV show in question.
Getting to know the IKR Vlog
As you may have surmised, IKR is an acronym! It stands for “I Am (the Great I am, our Lord Jesus Christ),” “Kate,” and then “Ria,” your Fit Stewards creators.
We are riding on the popularity of a myriad of acronyms today and this particular one is known as the “I know, right?” statement that people make today as a form of agreement with somebody about something, quite similar to “Exactly!” or “I’m with you.”
Since we spend most of our daily conversations talking about the spiritual side of things, we figured that we could bring it to the virtual platform by doing a vlog. This way, more people may be blessed just as we are, from the many ways that God speaks to us every day.
So, watch out for our regular vlog posts on our YouTube channel if you want to walk alongside us as we hear from the Lord!
Going back to the TV series…
Hearing about “The Chosen”
How you get wind of any show, movie or TV program nowadays may vary from person to person but for us, it was the invite to download a free app and watch episodes about the life of Jesus that led to our first knowledge of “The Chosen.”
Admittedly, it was set aside for a time until the urge to watch it became a big enough push. Looking back, the months that went by not watching it were regrettable. But, as nothing is ever wasted in God’s economy, it’s better to move past this lament and just be thankful.
First Impression about “The Chosen”
Like any other TV program, our first take of the show was a mixture of a you-had-me-at-episode-one feeling and a not-so impactful series at the beginning.
We realized that it helps to know the motivations behind the show, how aligned it is to what was written in the Bible and if it is apparent in the decisions of the makers the workings of the Holy Spirit – and it was! Knowing all of these things helped bring about the compelling force to support the show.
What we like most about it
In our finite minds and limited understanding, we fail to capture the magnitude of who Jesus is as we converse with Him in His Word and in our prayers. Also, because of our inherent sinfulness, there is broken fellowship with Him from time to time until we go to Him and be cleansed.
“The Chosen” series helped us see the Jesus we worship and serve by way of the episodes. Along with the cast and the people behind it, it puts you before the feet of Jesus and renders you speechless and in awe of His majesty and glory as He works through every aspect of the show.
We also like that the Jesus we talk to day to day, has been given a face in the series. The humanity of Jesus was displayed, and it gives us a picture of the kind of 100% man and 100% God He became just to carry out His will for all of us.
Our favorite episode
One of our most loved episodes is the “Jesus Loves the Little Children” in Season 1 where Jesus showed how he is towards the little people.
Because some of us may not have had such fond memories of being loved by our earthly fathers, there is a longing in our hearts to be appreciated a certain way, which was portrayed in this film. Jesus loved to teach, guide and care for them little kids. He was everything you want a father to be and more.
Episode 7 of season 1 is also precious to us because of the clarity by which the Gospel was taught as Jesus and Nicodemus talked to each other on the roof of that house. It’s an excellent material to share with others who are yet to have a saving knowledge of God.
It also gives a back story as to the depth at which John was able to capture this conversation as he wrote one of the Gospel books.
Our favorite character
Matthew is, by far, our most cherished person in the show mostly because of the huge cost to his decision to follow Jesus. Though it may seem like a choice made on impulse, or one that may not have been based on what he knew of the Torah then about the promised Messiah, it was one that he took nevertheless, despite its seeming foolishness to others.
He didn’t give it a second thought, because maybe if he had, he would not have made the decision. He was an outcast, deeply scorned by the society he lived in, even by his own family, and will likely be more so as he affiliated himself with Jesus.
The series provided a background for one of the greatest books in the Bible, the Gospel according to Matthew. How he was in the show gave reason for the meticulous way that the account of the life of Jesus was depicted in the book.
Our most heartbreaking scene
The scene that showed Nicodemus who came so close to following Jesus but failed to do so was truly heart-wrenching. He received the message of salvation and took it to heart but was hindered by the life that he had lived before he met Jesus.
It was a situation that we can identify with on different levels, as we all have things in our lives that stop us from completely giving our lives to our Saviour.
Also, it’s such a sad realisation that these people who have chosen to follow Jesus, who have been with him so up close and personal, will be witnesses to his horrifying death on the Cross and all the painful mockery that He will have to endure before it.
However, thinking about it, it was a cause for rejoicing instead of mourning that they were very intimate with the Son of Man even if they had to go through such harrowing experiences. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be as bold and courageous to share the Gospel of Jesus at that time and the Church would not have exploded as it had.
Lessons from the show
We learned that it is such a rewarding experience to simply follow Jesus without questions or hesitations. When you say yes to His call, He provides you with everything you need, even if you come to Him with nothing.
Oftentimes in the episodes, you will see the followers of Jesus, not knowing where they will go or when, but they go where He goes just the same. We also realised how important it is to always be ready, to keep an open heart and mind, so you can obey the Lord without delay.
Jesus’ message in the series, that He makes a way for all of us to access God’s kingdom, also hit home for us. It was the point of the entire show. It is such a blessing to know that this message will also reach the hearts of so many who will opt to watch it.
When you watch the show
The makers of the show are incredibly open to the fact that they had to fill in gaps to provide depth of character to all the individuals portrayed. Just keep in mind when you watch the series that it is still a TV show and not the Bible.
Dallas Jenkins always reminds everybody about this. It shouldn’t replace our need to get into the Word of God and have a personal experience of Him through the Bible ourselves.
The producers of the show are doing their best to be truthful and faithful to what is written in Scriptures but there exist discrepancies that may be a source of controversy for some. One has to be careful not to miss the central message of the show, though, because of these.
The fact that the TV series is crowdfunded so as not to lose the decision-making power on how Jesus should be depicted in the episodes is a huge plus for us. Better than to have a powerful engine to reach the world but then a different Jesus from the Bible is shown.
Also, we must always check our hearts, keep it guarded, not to idolize any of the cast or even the people behind the series. It’s difficult to take this away from anything that is shown on TV and is broadcasted all over social media platforms, but we should keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and nowhere else.
Our recommendation
Both of us are not confident about doing a vlog, but we had to face our fears and go out of our comfort zone, because we wanted to pay it forward! We enjoyed the show so much because of how strongly it helps deepen our walk with the Lord and we want to share it with the world.
Just as Dallas Jenkins gave his 5 loaves and 2 fish to start this TV series, we also wish to do our part, no matter how small, to encourage everyone to see it and continue to support it so that more and more people will be drawn to Jesus.
If by sharing our thoughts on “The Chosen” we can reach at least one soul who will give his life to Jesus, then it would have been worth it. For those who are already followers of God, may this serve as a motivation to go back to our Bibles and have an intimate time with Jesus, our Redeemer and Lord!
To keep updated about our latest vlog posts, head on to our YouTube channel. While you’re there, feel free to like our videos, share them with your family and friends, post comments and subscribe.
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