The Greatest Story Ever Told

For many years my husband and I rented a movie on Friday nights, made popcorn, and curled up on the sofa for two hours of relaxing entertainment after a hard week at work. But those days have long disappeared as I’ve struggled to find a decent film that’s neither violent or vulgar.

“I wish Hollywood understood there are millions of Christians, and non-Christians, who would really enjoy a decent family-friendly film?” I lamented.

In the past few years, I’ve watched all of the God’s Not Dead movies. I’ve also watched some great Hollywood historical films, like The Darkest Hour about Winston Churchill, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood about Mr. Rogers, and other films based on true stories like Hidden Figures and Hacksaw Ridge. But those films are few and far between.

Recently two separate friends told me about a new Christian tv series called The Chosen (created by Dallas Jenkins) about the life of Christ and his disciples that is free by downloading “The Chosen” App (via Google Play or the App Store). I downloaded the free app to my phone and watched the entire eight episodes of Season 1 (from last year) in two days.

I watched in awe at the powerful and emotional performances. Guaranteed to make you cry, it will also make you laugh. It’s the best production about the life of Christ I’ve ever seen. Viewed worldwide more than 60 million times, it’s translated into 50+ languages thus far.

It’s the most successful crowdfunding film project ever with Season 1 being paid for by investors, and Season 2, currently in filming, being paid for via a ‘pay it forward’ method where viewers can, if they choose, ‘pay it forward’ to provide a way for others to watch it for free.

A few days after I watched it, my husband purchased a Fire Stick (for $30.00) which enables streaming on our flat screen. We streamed it to our tv via my phone app and watched it together over the course of that week. “I’d like to watch that again,” he said a few days later. I was certainly amenable to his suggestion. Each time I watch it, I notice something new. Fortunately, they are planning at least seven seasons.

Proverbs 13:12(b) says: “A wish come true fills you with joy.” This show certainly fulfills my wish of long ago (for some decent television entertainment), and fills me with joy. How ingenious of God to use Dallas Jenkins, and everyone else involved in its production, to create such a powerful television series in a day of social media, and also the strange times we’re living in with the pandemic and home confinement.

I highly recommend you download the app. When you do, be prepared to witness the most powerful film production of the greatest story ever told, and be sure to have some tissues nearby. And I’ll continue to re-watch Season 1 until Season 2 is released next Easter. I’m so glad Season 2 won’t be ‘The End.’