Coming this sunday! The Chosen

From Jim’s Cluttered Desks
January 6, 2022

Using the eight episode dramatic production titled The Chosen, we are beginning an eight-week journey through the early days of Jesus’ teaching and healing work. 

Try to imagine a world where Jesus was relatively unknown. This first episode takes place in such a world. Jesus plays a very small role in this episode. The reputation and notoriety of Jesus will grow throughout these eight presentations. 

​Some people will decide to follow him. Others will be confused because he is not the kind of messiah they were taught to expect. There are also those who will oppose him, sometimes violently. Things haven’t changed much.

Here are some tips:

• As you watch, pay attention to the dates and places.
• Prepare yourself for worship through prayer and by reading some passages I’ll list at the end of this note.
• Be patient as the story unfolds. Although our calendars have the birth, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus in a six month capsule, it didn’t happen that way.
• Get to know the characters. Mary of Magdala, Matthew, Simon (Peter), Nicodemus each play important roles. We will meet these four this Sunday.
• Try to comprehend the anxiety, anger, and compromises that the people of Israel lived with each day.

Carve out some time before Sunday to read Isaiah 43:21-2, Matthew 27:55-61, Luke 8:2-3, Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 1:16-20, John 3:1-21, John 19:38-42, Find a map of Israel during the times of Jesus. Identify Capernaum, Nazareth, and Jerusalem. 

I’m looking forward to walking with Jesus and those who decided to follow him (including you) over these next eight Sundays.

See you Sunday,
Pastor Jim