The Chosen ~ “I Have Called You by Name” (S01E01)

Greetings Dear Reader, 

There will be spoilers.  This is your only warning.  This BLOG series will walk through each episode of the first two seasons of the amazing show The Chosen available free to watch at the link.  If you have not seen it, I encourage you to do so.  It is by far the best adaptation of the Gospels to film I have ever encountered. 

Whatever your preconceptions of Mary Magdalene are, lay them aside.  Instead, let the story unfold in front of you.  She is called Lilith until she encounters Jesus.  This is important to the story.  We begin the episode, however, know it is Mary if we pay attention. 

A couple of notes to help you are these:  Always read any introductory materials at the beginning of the episode.  Also, note the quick flashes of dates and locations in the bottom left of the screen.  The show does some time-hopping.  I know at least one person who was confused because they were oblivious to this. 

We immediately see Nicodemus pontificating on how the sinfulness of fishing on the Sabbath prevents Messiah from coming to free the people,  As Dallas Jenkins, the executive producer has said, “The Pharisees are  not a cardboard cutout Jesus haters.”  We will learn this from all of them but especially Nicodemus.     

So, back to Mary Magdalene.  She was not a prostitute.  You cannot cite a place in the Bible saying she was.  It is vital to note the interplay between the characters of Mary and Nicodemus.  He is portrayed as an honest Pharisee.  When Mary is freed from her demon possession, he seeks her out to find out how long it happened after he ministered to her.  He is not offended when Mary tells him his attentions did not work. But I am getting ahead. 

The life lesson I see in this episode is to remember all of the people who will cross paths with Jesus have a story worth knowing. This is why I write the fiction I write.  It is why I have been working for ten years to give Judas an honest look.  I am thrilled someone else is as well.  What must become part of me is seeing every human in the story as part of the process of redemption.  

Approaching this story at the human level allows us to see the human side of Jesus in a way vital to following him.  We must know he understands us so when he calls our name, we can hear him.  When Mary, possessed of seven demons, nears the end of her hope, Jesus calls her by her given name and frees her.  He tells her he needs her and shows his love for her.  The adventure begins with a reminder.  Jesus calls us by name, Dear Reader.  He loves us and draws us all to himself.  This is a great place to begin.    

Wishing you joy in the journey, 

Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) 

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good. 

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Knowing someone’s name gives you power over the person.