Allacin's Free Illustrated Summaries of Christian Classics: Illustrated Summary of The Chosen: Season 4, Episode 4: Calm Before

Monday, November 11, 2024

Illustrated Summary of The Chosen: Season 4, Episode 4: Calm Before

In the Roman quarter of Capernaum, sentence is pronounced on its disgraced praetor: "Quintus Benedictus Dio, having sworn the sacramentum to Caesar, the senate, and the people of Rome to lawfully fulfill the conditions of service as praetor of Galilee on pain of punishment, and found guilty of the murder of a citizen under your charge, you are hereby reduced in rank, gradus deiectio, and relegated to lesser service, militae mutatio, to be determined at tribunal." After the reading of the sentence by a senior military official, the Roman cohort Atticus removes the chain or necklace of office from around Quintus's neck. He motions for Quintus to be removed from the office.

As Quintus is escorted out by the military officials, Gaius is escorted in. They both trade brief glances at one another. Gaius is brought before Atticus, who signals for Gaius's wrist bands to be removed. Gaius looks surprised. The soldiers leave the two alone. Atticus tells him, "Festina lente," proceed cautiously, and puts the chain of office around Gaius's neck. Then he says, "Congratulations, Praetor Gaius," waving an arm towards the desk. Gaius stands behind it, surveys the room, and breathes a sigh of astonished relief.

On the road to Tel Dor, Ramah--the citizen Quintus murdered--is being borne on a funeral bier by Jesus and His disciples toward her father's house. While this solemn procession takes place, we see reflections of what some of them are thinking. Peter, walking across the bier from Thomas, thinks back to when the disciples were gathered outside Capernaum, where the murder just took place. He is watching Thomas pace restlessly. Jesus joins him. Peter tells Him, "I want to do something. I want to help him." Jesus reminds him, "You know that's not how grief works." Peter says, "I'm failing," meaning he doesn't feel like he is living up to his title of being a rock. Jesus tells him, "Thomas doesn't need you to be a rock right now." Peter persists, "He needs a firm footing to walk on--everything just pulled out from under him." Jesus says, "This is the way of all the earth. For now." Peter says, "Loss?" Jesus looks at him: "You know the truth." Peter doesn't think he can tell that to Thomas now, so Jesus suggests he not say anything, asking if words from Thomas would have helped after Peter found out his wife suffered the miscarriage of their only child. "You have experienced loss," Jesus continues, "That makes you more able to go and simply be there with him rather than being the rock."

Peter walks slowly toward Thomas, who says to him in a panicked voice, "What happened? I don't even know what just happened!" Peter says, "I'm so sorry." Thomas says repeatedly, "She's gone!" "I know," responds Peter. "Just breathe." Thomas stops pacing and says, "I can't breathe! I'm going to be sick." He gasps and pants so Peter guides him to sit on the ground and lie back. "What can I do?" asks Peter, laying his hand on Thomas's chest. Thomas clasps his hand and weeps.

Moving forward with the funeral procession, we now focus on Mary Magdalene, who remembers sitting next to Tamar at the same time Peter remembered. She asks regarding Ramah, "What if we had kept our eyes on her?" Tamar lovingly grasps her wrist and says, "Please don't." Mary continues, "I was holding her hand. I lost her." Tamar says, "She was murdered, Mary. Nothing could have stopped the evil in his heart." Mary looks at Jesus and wonders, "Could He have stopped it?" "Ask Him," suggests Tamar. Maybe she did not since now we see her back again in the funeral procession, looking ahead at Jesus but staying where she is.

Passing her we now focus on John, who remembers a conversation later on back in a house. John is telling Peter and James that someone should be with Thomas. Peter tells him that Thomas needs to be alone now. "How can you be sure?" asks John. "Believe me," Peter simply affirms. James says, "What I'm about to say I can say only in front of you two. It has been rattling around in my head all day." "Careful," cautions Peter. James blurts it out: "Why didn't Jesus do the thing He did with Jairus's daughter?" (Mark 5:21-43). John says, "I was thinking the exact same thing: a single word from Him and we would not be here." Peter reminds them Jesus told them not to speak of what they saw in that house. "To anyone else, but we know what we saw," says James. "I know where you're coming from," says Peter, "and I wrestled with exactly the same question about Eden: about why He didn't intervene. I resented His miracles for others." John says that sounds like a reasonable response to him. Peter reminds him of the words of Isaiah: "'My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord." James and John join Peter in finishing the biblical quote: "For as the heavens are higher that the earth, so are My ways than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).

James says, "That doesn't make this any easier." Peter tells them, "Jesus had a reason for allowing what happened to Eden that I didn't understand at the time. I may never fully in this lifetime, but I do know it made me desperate for Him." John reminds them, "Thomas was not inside Jairus's house. He does not know for certain that Jesus can bring someone back from death." James says, "But he believes that Jesus can do anything and why shouldn't he? Was Jairus's daughter more important than Ramah or your unborn child?" Peter says, "Enough! We told Jesus we'd keep it a secret and now it's clear Thomas must not find out." John asks, "What if Jesus does it again, but for someone else?" James fears that would destroy Thomas, but Peter says they should take this one day at a time, adding, "We are His students, not His equals. If we don't know the answer to something, we can let Jesus speak for Himself." He knows John and Matthew are writing down what Jesus says, saying, "Time will reveal the wisdom hidden in these mysteries" (John 14:25-26), but I trust in a God who walks on water" (Matthew 14:22-33). James and John softly agree and Peter moves to embrace them, something he says they don't do enough, before exiting their room.

James says to his brother, "Remember when we fished? The older guys used to call you James and me John." John says, "They got it right half the time, and it wasn't just the old guys." James goes on to say that people used to see them as the same because they were never apart and did everything together, including following Jesus. But James says when Jesus sent them on their two-by-two missionary journeys (Matthew 10; Mark 6:7-13) and John went with Thomas, James admits, "It felt like you were closer to him than me. Like he was new and interesting and I was old and boring." John says, "I never meant for that. I'm sorry." "No," says James, "the bond was obvious. We're doing the most important thing of our lives, John--of anyone's life! And you're doing it with him. Some have become closer in the process. I admit I was jealous of your friendship with Thomas, but none of that matters now. What matters is that he is in pain and he needs you." "Me?" questions John. "Even if you don't know what to say," continues James, "you just being there would mean more to him than any of the rest of us."

Moving forward again with the funeral procession, John is walking next to James in back of the bier, but now moves forward and walks by Peter across from Thomas. Peter lets John take his place and moves forward to walk with Jesus. Thomas gives an appreciative glance toward John. We now focus on Thomas and see him thinking about his private conversation with Ramah after he gave her the special sundial gift for their upcoming wedding. Then he pictures her dying and later Peter's hand on his chest when trying to help him breathe. Peter says, "Just breathe. It's okay to cry, but just breathe." Suddenly Thomas sits up and says, "No, it feels wrong to breathe when she isn't. I can't relax and I don't want to!" He gets up but doesn't know where to go. He propels himself toward Jesus and falls into His arms. All the other disciples stand and watch. John approaches and takes over the embrace. Jesus tells the others, "We have sent word to Tel Dor in the Plain of Sharon that we are on our way to bring her home."

Along the funeral procession Peter walks back to tell Thomas that Tel Dor is just ahead. Thomas says, "This is only the beginning. I have no idea how I'm going to approach Kafni (Ramah's father)." Peter, looking ahead, says, "You may not have to." The procession stops. Ahead, with Kafni in front, is a large group of men approaching them swiftly. Jesus offers to go with Thomas to face them together. Kafni demands, "Where is she? Where is my daughter?" He pushes roughly between them to gaze at the form on the bier. Removing the head cover he falls back stricken when viewing Ramah's still, pale face. He reaches towards her and weeps, but then covers her face and looks away bitterly. Other men push roughly by and start rolling the bier towards Tel Dor. Kafni follows it silently and Thomas follows Kafni, who suddenly turns and says harshly, "Thomas, stop! You will proceed no further. You are forbidden from entering this town."

Jesus says, "Kafni we are in mourning with you. We grieve, but we are not dangerous." Kafni replies, "Then why is my daughter dead?" Thomas blurts out, "I'm so sorry!" Kafni sneers, "You've already killed me, Thomas, and then you went and killed her." Thomas says, "I blame myself. I'm sorry I failed in my promise" (to keep her safe). Jesus explains, "Thomas loved Ramah dearly, Kafni, and she loved him." Kafni says bitterly, "What are Your words worth? You are a fraud and a devil. Deceptive sorcerer! The biggest disappointment in my life is that I didn't teach my daughter better. She had a brilliant mind until You cast a spell on her!" Thomas speaks up firmly, "Ramah was murdered by a Roman, Kafni, and you don't speak for her. She loved Jesus. She felt her calling was an honor, and she wanted everyone to know that, including you."

Peter leads Thomas gently away and the others turn slowly away from Kafni to follow. Jesus says, "Let's go." But Kafni says, "I curse You and Your followers." James tells him, "We grieve with you" and they walk away. Kafni follows them and says with increasing hysterics, "I will spread the word far and wide as long as blood runs through my veins. I will move mountains to expose You, Jesus of Nazareth! I will make sure the world knows You are a liar and a murderer!" Zee turns to tell him, "You have made your feelings clear. We leave you in peace." Kafni then resorts to a threat: "You will see me again and when You do, it will be the last thing You do!" Zee swiftly walks toward him, saying firmly, "I said no more." Kafni stops following and watches them silently as they walk away.

What we next see is a wordless montage of the passing of time: Jesus and His disciples headed toward Jerusalem, graffiti written on a milestone that Jesus is Messiah; coins being brought in a bag to Judas for the ministry, but him looking disappointed in the amount; Jesus healing a demon-possessed man on a heavily-traversed road; Rabbi Yussif entering Jerusalem after traveling from Capernaum, hoping to protect Jesus with a Sanhedrin appointment; Thomas staring across Capernaum by himself; Jesus and some of His disciples passing through Capernaum and being stopped by a blind man, whom Jesus heals; Kafni outside a synagogue, addressing people there with gestures of warning; Jesus preaching peacefully to a crowd in Capernaum; Praetor Gaius receiving an alarming notice that he soon burns in private.

Talking resumes during the month of Kislev (November/December) with Jesus and His disciples seated around the table in Peter and Eden's house. Peter, standing with Thomas in back, asks him if he is sleeping any better. "Better than a few months ago, but still not great" says Thomas. Peter tells him it also took him a few months after losing his unborn child, his wife even longer. Peter next asks, "How are your prayers?" Thomas answers, "I do them, but it's hard to mean them sometimes. Peter cites from Psalm 77, "When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. You hold my eyelids open." Thomas seems to faintly acknowledge that but remains silent. Peter suggests going away a short while might help. Thomas tells him, "I just can't. It's too painful to be here, and yet there's no place I'd rather be."

Zee brings in fresh fruits and vegetables. Matthew selects a pomegranate, but needs help learning how open it and eat the seeds inside. That leads to a dispute among several of the disciples about different ways of doing that, which prompts Jesus to slip away quietly from the table. He steps outside and sees the welcome sight of Little James and Thaddaeus sitting on a bench, peacefully working with lemons and mint to prepare them for the upcoming meal. Jesus contentedly sits between them. Thaddaeus, guessing about the relief on Jesus's face, says, "So what are they on about in there?" Jesus answers mildly, "Wanting to be right about something, as usual." Little James suggests, "Or for someone else to have been getting it wrong their whole lives?" Jesus perks up, "Yes, yes! How did you know?" James comments that Jesus surely has noticed a pattern.

Jesus admits that He has upon reflection and then thinks back wistfully to when Little James and Thaddaeus were His first two disciples, wondering out loud if they miss those days. Thaddaeus says he did enjoy spending more time with Jesus then, yet adds, "To wish that others would not get this gift by joining us also ... would be selfish," Little James voicing the last words. They all concede they cannot go back to those days so James thinks forward, asking, "Where will we go?" Jesus wants to know why he asks. "We can't stay in Capernaum forever," answers James. Jesus commends his wisdom and tries to draw out why he feels that way. Thaddaeus helps him, saying to Jesus, "You've been saying things about when You're gone more frequently." James continues, "You say You must suffer many things at the hands of the elders and chief priests. Those people are not in Capernaum." Jesus affirms, "They're not." James realizes that means they'll be on the move soon. Jesus tells them they will leave Capernaum and head south to Jerusalem, saying, "The time has come. Things will no longer be simple." He stretches each of His arms across their shoulders and clasps them in an embrace.

Peter steps out in front of them and apologizes for interrupting before asking for the lemon and mint James and Thaddaeus were working on. Before he can collect them, the Roman soldier Julius inquires if Matthew, the former tax collector (Matthew 9:9-13), is there since Praetor Gaius is asking for him. Thaddaeus goes into the house to get Matthew. Peter suggests to Jesus that he accompanies Matthew since Peter has developed a rapport with Gaius. Jesus agrees but tells him to come straight back since they are going on a trip soon.

Matthew steps out and Julius addresses him as Publicanus, which Matthew tells him no one has called him in a long time. Julius asks Matthew politely to come with him and other accompanying soldiers. Jesus says, "It's all right, Matthew. Peter will join you." After they move out, Andrew asks Jesus, "Is Matthew in trouble?" Jesus answers, "I don't think so" and instructs him, Thaddaeus, and Zee to tell the other disciples to gather their belongings and prepare for a journey.

As Matthew and Peter walk between the soldiers, Matthew fidgets nervously, but Peter advises him to try not to look nervous and says, "Gaius is not the same person who shouted at you when you left the tax booth." Matthew wonders, "Maybe he's having trouble recruiting new tax collectors. Pays well, but you lose everything else."

They are escorted into Gaius's office and left alone with the new Praetor, who smiles warmly and thanks them for coming, inviting them to sit. "You couldn't send word about the nature of this summoning?" inquires Peter. "Absolutely not," says Gaius. He first confirms Peter's new name, having known him as Simon, and then informs them about the warning messages he is getting from Jerusalem, saying, "The Pharisees here are watching your every move, actively trying to trap your Rabbi in His words or actions. I am telling you, they want Him gone: silenced, censored, worse." They figure the execution of John the Baptizer has emboldened them. Peter tells Gaius that Jesus just told him to prepare for a journey. Gaius tells him, "I am under pressure to crush any religious extremism swiftly and lethally. If I don't or if I even hesitate--" Peter interrupts, "What? They'll fire you? I didn't expect you to get a taste for power so quickly." Gaius corrects him: "Worse. They might suspect that I believe in Him."

Matthew immediately notices the significance of that admission. Peter says, "Wait, what?" Gaius says, "Jesus will be safe here, but only if He keeps a low profile." Peter tells him frankly, "That's not going to happen now. A year ago He was forbidding people He healed from telling about it, but now it can't be contained." Switching to Gaius's confession of faith, Peter asks, "Were you being serious: do you believe in Him?" Gaius admits, "I'm not sure what that even means." Matthew asks, "Why haven't you gone to see Him if you are even considering?" Gaius answers, "I have seen enough. I have seen what He does for those who can be of no help to Him whatsoever. I have heard Him say words that both unscramble a lifetime of mystery and fill me with questions."

Peter gently asks, "Has your son gotten any better?" Gaius says no so Peter wants to know why he hasn't brought him to see Jesus, adding, "Why wouldn't He do this for you who are risking your life and career to protect Him?" Gaius says, "He doesn't need my protection. I just don't want His mission delayed by posturing and infighting." Matthew is confused about this situation since he knows Gaius's son, but Gaius humbly admits to him this is another son of his born to a slave in his household who died in childbirth, saying, "I feel guilty for betraying my wife." Peter asks, "Do you feel repentant?" Gaius answers yes and adds, "I love my son." They both then wonder why he hasn't gone to Jesus. Gaius responds brokenly, "Because I'm not worthy!" Peter laughs softly and tells him, "Neither was I," Matthew making the same admission. Gaius tells them, "You do not know the things I have done." Peter confesses, "You know, that's exactly what I said." Gaius protests, "I'm an outsider!" "One of His favorite kinds of people," Peter tells him. "Someone who is not Jewish?" inquires Gaius. "Yeah," say both, Matthew explaining, "Those dividing lines don't matter to Him. It's part of the reason He is in so much trouble."

Peter asks, "Gaius, do you believe He is from God?" Gaius bows his head and begins weeping. Peter says, "I know it must seem intimidating." Matthew chimes in, "There, there, Dominus. There's no need to be afraid." Gaius looks up, smiling, "I do believe. I know He can heal my son. Will you let me ask Him?" They agree and he quickly stands, gesturing to embrace the men before they head out, Gaius taking the lead, affirming that his son is as good as healed. In a quick moment together, Peter says to Matthew, "Did he just convert?" "Yeah," says Matthew in quiet awe.

Meanwhile, Andrew informs James and John about preparing for a trip. Their mother, Salome, tells them, "Boys, this is the time. While it was the greatest day of my life when Jesus called you, I know that being with the Messiah and doing His work has also been a weight to carry. But I've never seen you two closer and I never want it to end." John admits, "It has been a quieter time." Salome says, "John, you've always been the more cautious one, but Jesus has deep affection for you and there's no harm in simply asking about you sitting on His right and left hand in His glory."

Peter, walking with Matthew and Gaius, says, "I'm the first Jew to willingly lead a Roman soldier to his house." Gaius says, "I'm the first soldier to be led." Peter says, "We should both stop looking so happy or we will both be in trouble!" When they arrive at Peter's house, Peter goes in first to make sure Jesus is inside. Matthew soon directs Gaius inside. Everyone in the room stops talking. Jesus addresses him, "Praetor Gaius." Gaius kneels before Jesus, saying, "Lord, my servant boy is lying paralyzed at home (Matthew 8, Luke 7). He has been sick for so long, and now he is suffering terribly, near death." Jesus says, "Take Me to him." Gaius answers, "Lord, I am not worthy to have You come into my home, and I know You would not be comfortable as a Jew in a Roman's home. But You only need to say the word and he will be healed."

"Not worthy?" Jesus inquires. "The truth," admits Gaius, "about the child: he is actually my son. I am so ashamed--I shouldn't even be asking You, but I am and I know You can do it." Peter speaks up: "Master, I never thought I'd say this, but he is worthy to have You do this for him. He loves our people. He has helped us." Jesus smiles and says, "I know." Gaius says, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself. You can heal him from a distance with only a word of command. I also have authority with men under me. If I say to one Go, he goes. If I say to another Come, he comes. Anything You command in this world will happen. I know it."

Jesus asks Gaius to stand up. Then He turns to His disciples and says, "Do you hear this man? Truly I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I was rejected in My own hometown, and I'm threatened by the religious leaders of My own people and yet this man, a Gentile, has more bold confidence in what he believes I can do than anyone I have yet encountered." Turning to Gaius He tells him, "Go, it has been done for you according to your belief." Gaius smiles and thanks Him. Jesus tells him, "Thank you: you have brightened My day to have encountered this kind of faith." Gaius gives Matthew, his first believing friend, an affectionate head clasp on his way out.

Gaius smiles radiantly as he walks past Andrew, James, and John on their way to join Jesus. They want to know what happened. Peter tells them, "Gaius had faith that Jesus could heal his servant without even coming to his house." James says, "We know He can do that," but John adds, "Such faith from a Gentile?" "Exactly!" says Jesus with joy. James hastily decides to say to his brother, "Let's ask Him now. It will change everything" (Mark 10:35-45). John gradually asks, "Would You grant for us to sit at Your right hand and Your left hand in Your Kingdom?" Jesus is stunned. The other apostles are indignant. Looking deeply pained, Jesus steps forward and tells them, "You don't know what you are asking." He walks past them. James and John finally realize they made a grave error in asking. Peter pushes through them toward Jesus and the rest follow.

Gaius is now in the market square, happily buying gifts of food and toys for his family before heading home. He is obviously generous towards the street merchants, sharing his joy with them.

Catching up with Jesus, John says to Him, "What's wrong?" Jesus turns to him and asks, "Are you able to drink the cup that I would drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" James answers, "Yes, we are able. We are the Sons of Thunder." John adds, "We'll do anything for You." Jesus explains, "When we go to Jerusalem, the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death and deliver Him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him, spit on Him, flog Him, and kill Him. And after three days, He will rise" (Matthew 20:18-19). All the apostles stare at Jesus in stunned surprise. John ventures to ask, "What are You talking about?" Matthew says, "I thought the Son of Man was You."

Jesus looks at John and then James, predicting, "You will drink the cup that I drink and be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized, but you do not want that now. You are not ready for that. To sit at My right hand and My left is not Mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father." Forthright Nathanael tells them, "You have no business asking what you did!" Judas states, "How could you ask it--and in front of all of us!" Peter chimes in, "Ruling positions, high seats of honor." John criticizes Peter, whom Jesus honored with a title, for saying that, but Peter retorts, "I didn't ask for it; He gave it to me." James says to him, "You don't even know what the rock means!"

Jesus orders them all to stop. "All of you have been granted leadership and authority," He explains. "All of you make up the foundation on which I'll build My church, but you are thinking like the Gentiles. Their rulers lord their authority over their inferiors. That is not how My Kingdom works. I have told you this before and you still don't get it. This has to change because their way is not how it will be with you. Do you hear Me?" Several answer yes. "Whoever will be great among you," Jesus continues, "must be your servant and whoever would be first among you must be your slave because even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many." Not understanding, they ask who is being held hostage.

Jesus turns His back and closes His eyes. Then He faces them and says, "Go. Continue south to Jerusalem. I will catch up." Offers of help are refused. Peter gestures them all silently forward. Jesus looks toward heaven, eyes filled with grief.

Gaius opens the door to his house and sets down his parcels. He immediately starts blowing out candles by shrines to Roman gods in his foyer. His wife, Livia, calls out to him: "Gaius, you're not going to believe it!" He tells her, "I do believe it" and gives her a big hug. Surprised, she says, "What?" Her husband explains, "I already know." Their son, Marius, says, "Daddy, look!" Gaius embraces him and Ivo, the healed boy with him, telling them, "Shalom! It's something my friends say. It means peace and wholeness." Holding the healed son gently by his face, Gaius tells him, "You are whole again!" The boys try to sound out the new word and then Gaius instructs them to say it twice. Gaius tells them in a sweet, fatherly voice, "That's it. Well done!" Livia, looking on this tender scene and also noticing the candles blown out from the shrines, accepts it with a smile and says softly, "Shalom."

Jesus, meanwhile, is walking outside near trees in sorrow, reciting with feeling from Psalm 38: "My sides are filled with burning. There is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and crushed. I groan because of the tumult of my heart. O Lord, all my longing is before You. My sighing is not hidden from You. my heart throbs; my strength fails me and the light of my eyes has also gone from me. My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my nearest kin stand afar off." Jesus finds Himself staring across a field at Zebedee, Mary Magdalene, and Tamar working at Zebedee's olive press. As they handle the olives, pressing them with increasing force into oil, Jesus realizes it is a fitting symbol for how He feels inside now.

But the Father sovereignly sends relief to His Son in this painful time. Gaius arrives, looking for Jesus. As they catch sight of one another, Jesus smiles as Gaius steps up to Him. Then Gaius steps further to embrace Jesus, whispering thanks. Jesus gently cradles Gaius's shoulder, and Gaius softly weeps with gratitude.