Season 1, Episode 3 - Jesus Loves the Little Children

Full disclosure, this is my favorite episode of Season 1, if not the whole series of The Chosen.  After watching this episode, I was totally on-board with Jonathan Roumie’s portrayal of Jesus.

Out of all the incredible episodes in The Chosen, Jesus Loves the Little Children is my absolute favorite. In it, we get our first extended glimpse of Jesus, not just as a teacher or miracle worker, but as a warm, patient, and deeply compassionate presence. While the entire series is full of Jesus being all those things, this episode stands out to me because of the way it introduces Jesus through the eyes of children.

This is the first depiction of Jesus that satisfies my thoughts on fully human, fully God.  So many biblical films and series depict Jesus as a teacher who is always “above” his students.  Sure, He is . . . granted.  The Chosen does something pretty awesome . . . it lets us meet Him in a quiet, intimate setting before His public ministry takes off. Instead of crowds pressing in or religious leaders challenging Him, we see Jesus spending time with children. He laughs with them, teaches them, listens to them, and even enlists them in helping Him work. It emphasizes the humanity of Jesus. He doesn’t just appear wise and authoritative as we know He is and that so many movies showcase.  Here, He is approachable, kind, and playful. The way He interacts with the children depicts a gentleness that is often overlooked when we think about the power of our Savior. His strength is not only in His authority, but also in His ability to be tender and loving

It’s such a stark contrast to what we know is coming. Soon, Jesus will be met with skepticism, opposition, and even hostility from the adults around Him. But here, with children, He is received with open hearts and genuine curiosity. This episode very neatly points to Matthew 18:3: that  the kingdom of God belongs to those who have childlike faith. 

This episode is also a reminder that faith isn’t always about knowledge or understanding, but about trust and relationship. The children do not demand proof or miracles; they accept Jesus for who He is and enjoy His presence. Their innocence allows them to see Him clearly in a way many adults struggle to do. They don’t question why, if He truly is important, would take the time to teach and show love to them rather than seek the larger, grander audience.  

You don’t need to see the series to know it isn’t going to be like this with the adults that we’ll see as the series progresses. Again, honing in on Matthew 18:3, the childlike faith and acceptance is a stark contrast to what He meets with the religious leaders and their skepticism and doubt.  

Jesus Loves the Little Children is a reminder that His love is not reserved for the powerful or the religious elite. It is freely given to those who come to Him with open hearts . . . and most of all, faith.  It speaks to the essence of Christ’s character and invites us all to embrace the faith of a child that welcomes Him without hesitation. 

If you’ve seen this episode, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let’s talk in the comments!