Have Tickets For The Return Of Jesus (To The Big Screen)?

Unabashedly, I am a huge fan of the TV series The Chosen. I have always had a sense of pride in not being led around by the crowd. For example, I had to be dragged to the first Batman movie back in the 80's (yeah I liked it, Nicholson always delivers) and usually eschew things that everyone says you have to be a part of.

So when The Chosen started showing up in my social media feeds a few years ago, I pretty much shrugged it off and said meh. But it kept showing up, and some friends who I do respect had given it a recommendation. So, one Sunday following church activity I asked Tammy, “do you want to watch this?” She said OK and we started season 1 episode 1.

It didn't go well. It was a warm day, I had been up early and was plenty tired, and my chair was plenty comfortable. And I was watching a screen showing me old first century life in and around Jerusalem...fishermen, tax collectors, demonizzzzzzzzz. Twenty minutes in, I was sound asleep. Fortunately, Tammy wasn't

A couple of hours later when I woke up, she said, “you really need to watch this, and you need to stay to the end.” I was still kind of groggy, and could feel nap number two coming on as we started the episode again, but some how managed to keep my eyes open until the last few minutes of episode 1. What a payoff! I've been awake for every episode since. No spoilers for those who haven't watched or even heard of the series. But if you start, you really need to stay through to the last five minutes of that first episode, because before that it's kind of a slow pace.

Well, from that moment on, we've become fans, some on our family even say fanatical, of the show.

Released in 2017, The Chosen takes a fresh perspective on the well-known biblical narratives, focusing not only on the miracles and teachings of Jesus but also on the lives of those who encountered him. The series explores the backgrounds and personal stories of characters like Simon Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Matthew, providing a more human and relatable portrayal of the individuals who played pivotal roles in the life of Jesus.

More than that, the show really portrays the very human relationships developed by all the characters, including Jesus.

The series has received widespread acclaim for its authenticity, emotional depth, and commitment to historical and biblical accuracy. Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus in the series, has been particularly praised for his nuanced and compelling performance. Additionally, The Chosen has garnered attention for its diverse and international cast, contributing to a more inclusive representation of the characters.

The show had humble beginnings and Dallas Jenkins, the creator and director of the series was not excited about the aspect of getting the show produced by way of crowdfunding. But, it paid off. The response was overwhelming, making The Chosen one of the highest-funded media projects in crowdfunding history. This approach not only empowered the creators to maintain creative control but also established a direct connection between the audience and the production. And since season two, a part of The Chosen is filmed here in Utah.

In a media landscape filled with adaptations of biblical stories, The Chosen stands out for its commitment to authenticity, and its ability to resonate with a diverse and global audience. As it continues to break records and inspire conversations, "The Chosen" remains a significant and influential contribution to the portrayal of religious narratives in contemporary media.

One of the unique aspects of The Chosen is that it is absolutely free to watch, no commercials even, on their app.

The producers have, well, more than hinted that season 4 is going to be taking a turn. The reality is, we know what happens in the story. And we're told it's going to be somewhat of a bumpy ride before we get to the end. People who watched The Passion of the Christ saw a good deal of that.

For those who have been waiting, season 4 of The Chosen will debut on Thursday, February 1^st on theaters across the nation and other parts of the world. And no, these are not free showings. There are showtimes in Cedar City and St. George at the Megaplex theaters, and you will be able to see the first three episodes of the season. The rest of the episodes will also release in theaters during the rest of February, and following the theater release, the episodes will make it to the streaming platforms.

There have been some on social media complaining to some degree about the release to theaters, and the need to pay. I see their point, but I don't agree with it. Over the years, I've paid money to see movies that left me feeling hopeless, with a sense of despair. I've paid to be told that things I hold near and dear are the reasons why the world is in such a state of disarray. This time I can pay to see a story that will ultimately give me and the world hope. More than worth the price.