In 2017, the then little-known producer Dallas Jenkins released a film called ‘The Resurrection of Gavin Stone.’ It got mediocre reviews and largely flopped. Working out what to do next, Dallas started binge-watching other dramas and gradually realised there was something that had never been done before: no-one had ever filmed a multi-season series of Jesus’ life. There were many big-budget famous films, and also short series for TV – but no-one had ever attempted something more ambitious. It was indeed a Big Idea – the problem was, there was no money to do it. So, he started crowdfunding; the money started coming in, and, using a cast of relatively unknown actors, he started filming a pilot.
He called the show ‘The Chosen’, and some of you will know what happened next. The programme has been a huge hit – now running to multiple series, it has its own app but is also available on Prime and Netflix, and has been watched by more than 100 million people. The actor who plays Jesus has also met the Pope twice, to talk about the show!
It’s a remarkable cultural phenomenon, and has introduced Jesus to millions of people in a new way. I must confess it’s still on my list of things to watch, but I’ve heard many good reviews – even from those who wouldn’t profess to believe its message. But why ‘The Chosen’? The short answer is that it refers initially to Jesus’ choosing of his twelve apostles. But the more general sense is this idea that all followers of Jesus are chosen by God.
The idea that we are chosen is one of the more controversial in Christian thought. And yet, it occurs numerous times in the New Testament, so we cannot dismiss it. We do, however, have to face the awkward question: does that mean that others are not chosen, and therefore cannot be saved?
At one level, we’ll never know this side of heaven. The best answer, though, is this: no-one living can say ‘I have not been chosen.’ However, those who are followers of Jesus can declare with joy: ‘The Lord has chosen me!’
This is the first of the great spiritual blessings Paul refers to in v3 (see yesterday’s reflection). And it naturally comes first because of the timeline: when did God choose us? When we were born? When we first started exploring faith? No – before the world began. Wow! This is not a roll-the-dice, toss-a-coin kind of choice; this is a fixed and firm decision. God chose you – a long, long time ago.
But not just so you could feel special – although we all should! There’s a bigger, redemptive plan. We are chosen ‘to be holy and blameless in his sight’ – in other words, to lead the kind of life God meant for humanity to live, in harmony with their Creator and with transparent integrity. God’s choice is not designed to spoil us, but to transform us. We are the Chosen – for a bigger role than even a global TV series; we are chosen to become a new humanity, filled with the fulness of God.
Today, take a moment to give thanks that God has chosen you. And pray that, by his wonderful grace, you can live that abundant, holy life he has chosen you for.