Season 2, Episode 1 - Thunder

Season 2 of The Chosen opens with a flash-forward.  John is interviewing the other Apostles and Mary Magdalene about their first encounter with Jesus (to write his book). The scene includes various levels of emotion, including Matthew nailing the precise date and time he first saw Jesus and John telling him he doesn't have to be precise with Matthew asking him why.  He also talks to Mary, Jesus' mother, and we learn this is taking place shortly after James (John's brother's) martyrdom. Mary asks him where he will start, and he tells her, "In the beginning ... I'm just not sure which beginning." She suggests Jesus' birth, and he replies, "Earlier." A storm starts, complete with cracks of thunder and Mary, without exactly saying it, remembers how Jesus referred to James and John as the Sons of Thunder. It segues nicely into the return to the series' present day where the two brothers are plowing a field in Samaria and are wondering why Jesus was having them do it. 

While on an errand to buy what's needed for a feast that they are confused about, several of the Apostles are trying to figure out what Jesus is doing among the Samaritans, His touching a leper, and doing things contrary to the way the Law was taught to them ... and whether it can be used against Him. 

We are also introduced to a handicapped man with a wife and daughter, and learn that the field Jesus had James and John plowing was for this man, and they are not exactly pleased that they worked for a Samaritan. The Samaritan is wary of Jesus' motives for his generosity, telling him he has nothing to donate to his ministry and can't even feed his family. Jesus informs him that he wants the man and his family to share a meal with them, and they have the food covered. In the evening as they are sharing stories, the man's wife asks if the Messiah would bring an end all pain and suffering as her father taught her, essentially asking Him, if He is the Messiah, when is that going to happen? Jesus tells her that he is here to preach the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven, that is not of this world and there, sorrow and sighing will flea away. He says he makes access to that kingdom, but in this world, bones will still break and hearts will still break, but in the end the light will overcome darkness.

We also learn that the handicapped man's story and while I have to agree with something Luke told me - The Chosen stops short of making people inherently bad and then redeemed, you understand this character figuring that, once Jesus hears his story, He'll condemn him and be on His way, taking everyone and the feast leftovers with Him. It's a great setup to the Good Samaritan story, while also harkening to the shepherd who leaves the 99 to go look for the one that is lost. It all weaves together beautifully. This scene had me in tears in the end and then was immediately followed by one that had me laughing, followed by yet another that had me smiling joyously.

Much of this episode focuses on James and John, the Sons of Thunder, who desire both status and to bring judgement on those who reject Jesus. At one point, they ask Jesus to call down fire upon a Samaritan village, He firmly rebukes them, showing that Jesus' kingdom is not one of destruction but of transformation. James and John want to show their faith through strength rather than surrender ... at first, I didn't identify because I'm not physically strong and never have been. Then I realized I try it in other ways, and reach about the same level of no-success.  

The end of the episode harkens back back to the beginning ... okay, here we go:  I love The Chosen!  That said, if you are reading and don't, I'd like to hear from you.  And if you do love the show, I'd love to hear from you too.