Illustrated Summary of The Chosen: Season 4, Episode 8: Humble

 

Watch this episode for free.

Red flower petals are strewn and cloaks laid down as joyful, rhythmic music begins. King David enters the main city gate of Jerusalem in triumph on his war horse. The crowd cheers and waves large, fresh palm branches, singing repeatedly, "Hosanna! Our king is victorious!" David, dressed in his armor, smiles and waves to his grateful people. 

When King David enters his palace, he warmly greets his young son Daniel. The boy's mother, Abigail, asks him, "Is it over?" David answers joyfully, "The Ammonites are defeated, Abigail! Not a moment too soon: it's almost Passover." He asks, "Has the lamb been selected?" Abigail tells him the Levites inspected and approved the lamb that morning, but she is not sure if the rites have been performed. She offers to do them, but David decides to use this as an opportunity to teach Daniel about the rites himself.

A spotless 1-year-old lamb is brought out to David and Daniel in the courtyard. David explains, "The Passover is in 6 days, which means today is the day we have to anoint his feet." "But why, Abba?" asks Daniel. "Because he's going to come live with us in our house for 5 days," answers David. "We have to mark him as special and keep him clean. After 5 days, we are going to offer him as a sacrifice to atone for our sins." Daniel holds the small jar of anointing oil and hands it to his father before David rubs some oil onto each hoof. When David is done, he wraps the lamb in a clean cloth and carries it into their home. As Daniel follows, David tells him, "This is the sacrifice of the Lord's Passover, for He passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses."

Inside with Abigail they eat bread. David tells Daniel, "Even the royal family eats unleavened bread during Passover." Abigail explains, "When God redeemed our people and set us free in Egypt through Moses, our ancestors had to leave so fast that there was no time to let the bread rise. So they took their dough before the yeast was added and carried it on their shoulders in kneading bowls bound up in cloaks." David concludes, "God commanded us never to forget. I have one more Passover story to tell you, one that goes all the way back to that day when they left with no time to let the bread rise." He opens a special carved box, handing Daniel what is inside: a donkey's bridle. (That bridle was explained in  Season 3, Episode 3 Physician, Heal Yourself by Joseph when handing it nearly 1,000 years later to young Jesus, the Son and Lord of David, the promised Messiah.)

Now during the time of Jesus's ministry, a group is gathered in a Jerusalem courtyard to hear a man and a woman testify of wondrous events. The man is Jesse, who was healed by Jesus of paralysis at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5). He tells the crowd, "Word has spread that Jesus raised a man 4 days dead at Bethany, and there were over 100 witnesses." The Sadducee Gedara protests, "They were only witness to the man walking out of the tomb. They did not see him go in, which means it could have been staged." Jesse logically asks, "Why would so many people have come to shiva if the person wasn't actually dead?" Gedara dismissively claims that Jesus has orchestrated more elaborate spectacles in the past. The woman, Veronica, tells him, "I was bleeding for 12 years and my faith in Him healed me. That's no illusion!" Gedara asks her, "Who can corroborate the facts of your supposed previous condition?" Jesse challenges Gedara's unwillingness to face facts by saying, "Are we really getting into this?" 

Gedara demands to know where Jesus is now and if He will show up for the upcoming Passover feast. Veronica replies, "I doubt He would miss the Passover." Gedara calls Jesus a coward and says He won't show up. Jesse says, "How can you call Him a coward when He stood up to you and the other leaders when you tried to stone and arrest Him?"  Gedara turns to the crowd and says, "We do not take blasphemy lightly. The law commands we put to death false prophets." Facing Jesse he asks, "You would have us shrink from our duty?" Veronica stoutly replies, "I know what happened to me." Jesse affirms, "And I know what happened to me." Veronica states, "He is the Christ, and instead of embracing His power, you feel threatened by it because He will be your authority when He is King." Gedara replies, "Insolent witch! You will recant your statement." "Or what?" asks Jesse. "You'll stone her too?" A man cries out from the crowd, "Tell us more about Jesus!" Others echo that request, ignoring Gedara.

Looking out over people flocking into Jerusalem for the Passover festival, Roman Governor Pontius Pilate says in a bemused tone to Imperial Cohort Atticus, "If I understood any of this, it would be remarkable, wouldn't it? Jews from every corner of the known world--I could do without the endless slaughtering of lambs, the shrieking and blood." Atticus remarks flatly, "You've read the story. What's to understand?" Pilate explains, "I guess care is what I meant. If I cared, it would be remarkable." "Tell yourself whatever you like, Pontius," Atticus says playfully, "but I bet if I look in your library, I'll find a piece of flatbread." "Stop it," quips Pilate. "You know I've eaten it all." They both laugh. Pilate then gets serious, asking Atticus why Emperor Tiberius, under whom Atticus serves directly, has not sent more troops, saying, "He knows the scope of this pilgrimage. The population doubles and doubles again." Atticus responds, "It's more than just the numbers. It's the fervor. Maybe Caesar is testing you to see if you can have one week without incident." The governor replies lightly, "A test I intend to pass, with your help."

Changing the subject Pilate asks excitedly, "Atticus, have you heard about the ghost? Everyone is talking about the ghost of Bethany!" Atticus says seriously, "That ghost." Governor Pilate, picking up on that tone, changes his and says, "It's true, then?" Atticus leans forward reflectively and asks, "So what if it was? A raising of the dead: a corpse one minute, fully restored the next." Pilate responds derisively, "Their superstitious madness knows no end!" "So you don't believe it?" asks Atticus. "Of course not," says Pilate. "Right?" Atticus bows his head and answers honestly, "I've seen some things that I can't explain. I haven't decided if it matters or not." Pilate, looking alarmed, replies, "Jews have rallied around lesser phenomena before with lethal consequences." "Now you're thinking clearly, governor," says Atticus. "For them, it doesn't matter if it's true; it only matters if they think it is." Pilate tells him, "What concerns me is that it concerns Caiaphas. I don't know if he believes it or not, but I can tell he's spooked." Atticus, knowing how jaded the High Priest Caiaphas is, says, "He probably doesn't believe it, but he is spooked that the people do." Seeing that Pilate looks troubled, Atticus places a reassuring hand on his shoulder, saying, "It's all right. It'll be fine. You just need to know whether the arrival of a Jewish sorcerer is a good thing or very bad for them, yes?" Pilate agrees.

Atticus has seen Jesus do things he cannot explain.

In a fancy perfume shop, the lovely Asian shop owner is describing some of her products to Mary of Bethany. "This one is called Cove: 3 parts myrrh, 2 parts cassia--lovely for burning to purify a house; 10 denarii." Mary brings the aroma stick close to her nose, but shakes her head. The shop owner points to another perfume, saying, "This one is Cleopatra: 4 parts cypress, 1 part myrtle, in rose oil--very good for skin and hair; 15 denarii, top shelf." Mary tests it and replies, "Not top shelf enough. I want to see your oils that aren't for sale. I know you have them. I've been to dinner with many wealthy people." The elegant shop owner informs Mary, "I only bring those out for my most loyal and liquid customers." Mary silently places a large bag of coins on the counter. The owner looks inside and says, "Wait here!"

The Asian lady soon comes out of a back room with something covered in fine fabric, describing it like this: "Derived from a rare, flowering honeysuckle varietal high in the Nepal mountains, used to anoint kings in China and India and protected in a premium alabaster vessel for temperature control: pure spikenard." The shop owner has by now put gloves on her hands and carefully opens the drawstring bag to uncover the alabaster vessel. She withdraws an incense stick from a red box, dips it carefully into the vessel, blots it on the stopper, and holds it out for Mary to inhale. Seeing that Mary finally looks satisfied, the owner asks, "How may ounces would you like?" "The whole jar," answers Mary, looking at her earnestly. The owner scoffs, "My! You are charming, dear. But truly, what do you think? One and a half ounces?" Mary repeats firmly, "I said the whole jar," and places 2 more bags of coins on the counter. The owner changes her tone, explaining, "It's not possible. This jar would cost more than half a year's wages, and I need the supply to satisfy my wealthiest clientele. It would take me several months to obtain another jar ...." Mary interrupts, telling her, "You need to listen: this is for the most important King the world has ever known." She takes out another bag of coins, saying, "300 denarii: a full year's wages. You can take the rest of the year off." As Mary speaks, she takes the alabaster vessel, inserting it into the drawstring bag, and walks out of the shop with its owner looking on in wonder. 

Mary: This is for the most important King the world has ever known.

"Whether by sorcery or necromancy or other dark arts," asserts Gedara to the Sanhedrin, "we can no longer deny that these so-called signs have been escalating in performance, each more outlandish and hysteria-inducing than the one before." Yussif rises and says, "We say they are just performances, but what about the resurrection of one Lazarus of Bethany?" Shammai rises in anger, spitting out, "There is no proof, and rumors like this are exactly why this rogue is a pox to this entire institution!" Another rises and calmly states, "Has no one in this room considered the implications if this man was indeed brought back from death?" "That's what we're doing right now," insists Gedara. "No," counters Yussif, "we are strategizing how to keep the status quo and hoping these signs cannot be ...." Yussif's fellow Pharisee Zebediah interrupts by objecting, "On this issue, I am with (Sadducee) Gedara: Jesus of Nazareth is not Elijah the Tishbite. Only Elijah can raise people from the dead." Yussif asks, "What if He is Elijah? Honored Nicodemus encountered Him in Capernaum and observed ...." Angry Shammai cuts him off, saying, "Sit down, Yussif! Nicodemus is recovering from illness, but I am certain he would agree you do not know what you say." Yussif counters, "My own father was at the shiva for Lazarus and witnessed the miracle."

Rabbi Shmuel, who has been listening with obvious agitation, suddenly rises and calls everyone to attention, stating, "The possibly false teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and purported signs are the very reason I came to study in Jerusalem in the first place. I have the most complete record of His words and deeds. This matter of Elijah bears investigating." The chamber erupts in protest, but Shmuel calmly talks over many voices, stating, "I will go to Bethany and ask Him myself if He claims to be Elijah." Zebediah, who initiated the attempted stoning of Jesus and His disciples following His Good Shepherd sermon (John 10), tells him fiercely, "We don't have any more questions, Shmuel. The man claimed to be God at the Feast of Dedication!" Gedara adds, "If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him. I'm seeing it firsthand even now, and Rome will want to prevent a revolt. Pilate will come and take away our positions here in Sanhedrin and then destroy our entire nation." Zebediah affirms, "Exactly. This is the future we can expect." Shmuel quickly makes an appeal to High Priest Caiaphas, asking if he can investigate Jesus.

Caiaphas arises and states contemptuously, "Gedera, you know nothing at all." Gedera sits, as does Zebediah. Caiaphas continues, "I have already been given a prophecy from God, and I believe it is about this exactly. The prophecy is that a man will die for the people so that our nation will not perish. This may be that man. We will hand Him over ourselves before there is an uprising. Rome will not destroy us. They will be grateful." Zebediah rashly states, "The only answer is immediate arrest and execution, as Caiaphas has said." Caiaphas quickly corrects him: "I did not say immediate. We are not legally allowed to execute anyone, with the exception of a ritual stoning within the temple courts. If His death is to be public and a spectacle, it must be done by Rome. If we move too quickly, they won't recognize the favor we've done them. Herod Antipas and his court will be arriving in Jerusalem for the festival soon. They'll be attending the annual state dinner with Pilate's administration. I'll see to it that the topic is brought up." Shrill Shammai protests concerning Herod, "He is pathetic, and also we ought not to be endorsing his attendance at the state dinner!" Caiaphas tells him, "Making sure our voice is heard is not the same as endorsing it, Shammai. I will make sure a letter is waiting at Herod's compound in the city when he arrives. This meeting is adjourned" (John 11:47-57).

Shmuel and Yussif quickly leave the chamber and speak in a side room. Shmuel says, "This is no longer about God to them, Yussif," who replies incredulously, "You're just now noticing?" Shmuel continues, "I have recently suspected some of them to be utterly void of conscience, goodwill, or true devotion to Torah, but this proves it beyond all doubt." Yussif asks, "What are you going to do?" Shmuel confirms, "Your father was at Bethany for the raising?" "Yes," says Yussif, "He was--is--a close friend of Lazarus." Shmuel wants to know if Yussif's father can arrange a meeting with Jesus, telling Yussif, "I've observed the man. I've confronted Him, even prayed with Him, but never conversed openly without an agenda." "You don't have an agenda now?" Yussif asks dubiously. Shmuel replies in earnest, "If it is true He has power over life and death, then ...." "It surely must be," says Yussif. "My father is a rational man, not given to sensationalism." Shmuel assures him, "I simply want to know what His intentions are. After all, we want the same things, don't we: to uphold the faith and honor God's law?" Yussif cautiously replies, "I wonder if it's as simple as that." Shmuel tells him, "I'm not suggesting any of this is simple, but we in Sanhedrin have been only reactionary toward Jesus. Perhaps all of us, myself included, have been too quick to take offense at His words. I had not considered the sum of His teaching and deeds as worthy of a fair and open-minded inquiry." Yussif replies, "The Sanhedrin is well beyond that." Shmuel suggests, "Your father could at least get us to Lazarus, right?" They decide to try that approach immediately.

In Capernaum, many Jews are preparing to leave for the Passover festival in Jerusalem, including Jairus, the Christ-following synagogue administrator. He is preparing a cart that will include his family, along with Zebedee's and Peter's wives, Salome and Eden. Praetor Gaius, a new believer, warmly greets Eden next to the cart. He says, "It's that time of year again. The Passover always makes my job a little easier. The town nearly empties." Jairus comments, "I would imagine so," asking in a playful tone, "Will you miss us?" Gaius smiles and says, "It's not like we get to just take the week off." He asks, "Who is it that stays behind?" Jairus answers, "The elderly, those with child, the infirm, and their caretakers." "Makes sense," observes Gaius. "But they still observe the Seder meal," adds Eden. Gaius replies, "Yes, Seder. I am aware." Jairus tells him he can expect to see an uptick in demand at the market for apples, walnuts, and cinnamon for the charoset and asks Gaius in jest if he will be making his own. "Not this year," answers Gaius lightheartedly.

"You will be with your husband for the holiday?" he asks Eden. "Yes, that is the plan," she responds. "And that means you will also see ...." Gaius asks hopefully. Eden answers, "Yes, hopefully. I can't imagine not." Gaius says wistfully, "It's strange: I wish I could go with you all." "You could, really," says Eden. "No, it would cause trouble," Gaius responds, "and I have my family to think of--my full family, thanks to Him. Please send word to Jesus of my gratitude and love." Eden says she will. Gaius adds, "And tell Peter I said, 'Shalom, Shalom.' Okay? Make sure you say it twice." Eden laughs and says, "I wouldn't do it any other way." Gaius also asks her to make sure Matthew, his first connection with Jesus, is all right and thanks her for passing along the messages.

As he leaves to keep from holding them up, Barnaby and Shula run up to the cart, thankful they did not miss their ride. Shula says, "This is our first Passover pilgrimage! I've never seen the Holy Temple. Can you believe that?" "I wonder why" says Barnaby and everyone laughs, knowing Jesus recently healed her from blindness. They will soon join a steady stream of wagons heading out of Capernaum toward Jerusalem, several days away.

Early in the morning at Lazarus's house, Judas sneaks silently out of bed to remove coins from the ministry bag and put them in his own bag. As he attempts to cover for that act in the ledger, he notices another disciple stirring early and soon sees it is Thomas, walking outside with a shovel. Judas decides to follow him secretly. Thomas stops at a place where he can dig a small hole. Unobserved, Judas watches Thomas bury something: the precious hand-held sundial gift he gave to his betrothed, Ramah, before she was murdered. Judas watches Thomas walk back to the house. He lingers and turns his gaze toward the hidden treasure.

Wading through the crowded streets of Jerusalem and into luxurious quarters are King Herod Antipas and his entourage. Herod tells them, "Look at the city: I've never seen it so crowded for Passover before." His queen, Herodias, says, "It's because of all these rumors about this magician from Nazareth." Chuza, Herod's household manager, says contemptuously, "Some place for a magician to come from! Where did he learn his tricks from, a goat?" Chuza's mistress, Cassandra, laughs and asks, "He will be coming for the feast, yes?" Herod says, "I hope so. I've been hoping to meet Him for a long time: He sounds so entertaining!" Chuza, who was handed a letter when entering their accommodations, informs Herod that it is from High Priest Caiaphas and is apparently urgent. Herod opens the letter at once and reads it silently. Paying close attention to this is Joanna, Chuza's wife and a faithful follower of Jesus.

At the home of Lazarus a lovely feast is being served to Jesus and His disciples. Peter says to Lazarus, "With 6 days to go, have you selected your lamb?" "Yes, he's out back," answers Lazarus. "I just need to perform the rites and bring him in." Looking to Jesus, he jokes, "Whenever You're here, I seem to neglect all my duties." Jesus says, "Oh, you're not neglectful. We just have to soak up our time together," reaching over and clasping Lazarus's wrist in a friendly way. 

Rapid knocking is heard at the front door. Lazarus asks Martha, "Are we expecting someone?" She replies, "No one knows where Mary is, but she wouldn't knock." Peter says, "We should be careful who we let in these days." Lazarus agrees. Martha is happy to see Arnán outside the door, saying to him, "Much better circumstances than the last time you came to my door!" With him are his son Yussif and Shmuel. Martha invites them in. Arnán looks at Lazarus and Jesus, saying, "Lazarus, Rabbi--Shalom, Shalom." They stand and return his greeting of peace. He tells the group, "Please, I don't mean to interrupt. I brought with me here a member of the Sanhedrin."

Jesus says, "Shmuel." Shmuel says humbly and almost shyly, "You remember me?" "Of course I do," answers Jesus in a friendly way. Arnán replies, "I'm relieved I've not made a great mistake in bringing him here. And the newcomer to the Sanhedrin: this my son ...." "Yussif," says Tamar. Andrew explains that Yussif gave them warning in Jotapata that people were looking for Jesus in a harmful way. That is news to Shmuel, who looks at Yussif with surprise, but Shmuel honestly confesses to Jesus, "I was looking for You." The Lord replies with humor, "Well, you found Me! And congratulations to you both on your appointments, Capernaum's finest. Please, will you join us?"

He points to the table and others make room so their new guests can sit near Jesus and Lazarus. While Shmuel, Yussif, and Arnán get settled, Judas whispers to Peter, "This is a tremendous opportunity for a strategic alliance!" Peter says skeptically, "We'll see." Arnán tells Jesus, "Rabbi, we have reason to believe there is danger lying in wait for you at the highest levels of temple leadership." Jesus looks down and says, "I would not have expected that." Shmuel, Mary the mother of Jesus, and just about everyone else look surprised to hear Him say that. He quickly tells them, laughing, "I'm joking. Go on."

Shmuel replies, "Jesus of Nazareth, Your situation has become a matter of life and death." "It always has been," replies Jesus. Lazarus reminds everyone, "They tried to stone Him in the temple courts." Yussif explains, "What we mean is Your fame has gone beyond fame. It's not just many in numbers but much in debate. Lately it's because of him," indicating Lazarus, who quips, "Oh, I'm sorry. I'll try not to die next time." Jesus says, "No, it's all part of the plan." Shmuel responds, "Your ruin? That's part of Your plan? Because that's where this is headed." Jesus sighs and says, "Is that what you have come to tell Me?"

Shmuel answers, "You've called Yourself the Son of Man. I'm not here to contest that or take offense this time. I'm open." "I can tell," says Jesus. "I see it in your eyes." Shmuel asks Him, "If You are who You say You are, what is Your plan? The entire city of Jerusalem is eagerly awaiting Your arrival for Passover, some with open arms; others with daggers. Do You have an army we don't know about? If You are more than a rabbi, You will have more than just Rome to overthrow, but also many religious leaders. They will not join You in Your quest." Judas suggests, "Perhaps you can help them do so. This is the week."

Jesus looks sad. He lowers His eyes and then levels them at Shmuel, asking, "Rabbi Shmuel, what would you like to see? Regardless of who, what is your hope for a Messiah?" Shmuel replies hopefully, "To usher in a new Davidic kingdom that drives out our oppressors and restores justice and glory for Israel." Judas is smiling broadly. Jesus is not. He lowers His head and says, "Hmm, glory?" "Yes," says Shmuel eagerly, "on a glorious throne with prosperity for all. A new golden age, with Israel as the light to the nations, revealing God to the peoples of the world." Jesus asks him, "And you? What will you do in that day?" Shmuel answers, "Worship? Serve, I hope. How could I possibly know until that day comes?"

"I will tell you," says Jesus: "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before Him will be gathered nations, and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And He will place the sheep on the right but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the Kingdom that has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me food. I was thirsty and you gave Me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed Me. I was naked and you clothed Me. I was sick and you visited Me. I was in prison and you came to Me.' And the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we do these things for You?' Then the King will answer, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.' Then He will say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, for I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink. I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me. I was naked and you did not clothe Me. I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' Then they will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, 'As you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me'" (Matthew 25:31-41).

Shmuel throughout this recitation looks increasingly disillusioned and disappointed, as does Judas. When Jesus finishes, Shmuel says slowly, "This is a hard teaching." Jesus tells him, "I do not know how to make it less so." Shmuel replies incredulously, "The Son of Man, the Messiah, is identified with the lowest of all people: the hungry, the poor, the stranger?" "That's what I've been preaching from My opening sentence on the Mount," says Jesus (Matthew 5:1-12). "But what of all the Torah requirements and traditions upheld by our forefathers?" counters Shmuel. Jesus explains, "The prophet Micah distilled such things down to their essence, but you overlooked it: 'He has told you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?'" (Micah 6:8). 

Shmuel joins the Lord in completing that quotation, but then challenges Him, saying, "But how do You harmonize that with the parting conclusion of Qoheleth in the Ketuvim:  "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13 in the Writings, the poetry and wisdom section of Scripture). Jesus says, "A new commandment I give you: that you love one another just as I have loved you. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, that you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). 

Shmuel asks, "What of the temple, the sacrifices, the law, the feasts? Are not keeping these how nations will know we are God's people?" Jesus explains, "The temple, the sacrifices, the law, the feasts are all fulfilled in Me." "You would do away with them?" asks Shmuel. Jesus answers, "I said fulfilled, not done away" (Matthew 5:17-20; Hebrews 8). "I don't understand the difference," says Shmuel. Jesus tells him, "Keeping the law is a response to God's love, but now that I am here ..."

Jesus looks up at Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, who has quietly entered the room and slowly approached Jesus by the head of the table (John 12). She is looking at Him with a smile and has a covered jar in both hands. Although still smiling, Mary starts weeping. Martha walks swiftly over to her, asking, "What is the matter? Where have you been?" Mary ignores her and keeps her eyes fixed on Jesus, whose eyes are fixed on her. Shmuel nevertheless presses Jesus to finish His thought about God's law.

Mary kneels by Jesus's feet and begins opening the jar of precious spikenard. Shmuel, obviously uncomfortable, asks, "What is going on? Who is this?" Lazarus answers, "My sister Mary." The fully opened jar releases a powerful fragrance that everyone in the room instantly notices and responds to in different ways. Judas, shocked, recognizes it as spikenard. Mary splashes it onto Jesus's feet and then rubs it in. Shmuel says to Lazarus, "You're letting your sister touch His feet? That's degrading!" Lazarus addresses him sternly: "Have you heard nothing of what the Teacher has said?"

Mary, still weeping softly, now removes her hair covering and humbly uses her own hair to soak up the excess oil on Jesus's feet. Jesus smiles at her, recognizing this as perceptive, heartfelt, lavish, and honorable worship. Shmuel, however, protests, "This is enough! Jesus ...." The Lord corrects his misunderstanding: "Shmuel, there is no law in Torah commanding that a woman cover her hair. That's just tradition." Shmuel says in an incredulous tone, "You're commending her? Excusing her?" Yussif tells him, "Shmuel, we don't know this family. It's not our place."

Mary, still kneeling before Jesus, looks up at Him with a radiant face and proclaims, "Blessed are You, King of the universe, for You have done all things well." Martha, Tamar, and Mary Magdalene smile at her, recognizing the worth of her worship. Shmuel does not. He says, "Yussif, Arnán, we need to leave!" Arnán says no. Shmuel tells him, "She's performing an inappropriate act openly, without shame. And He's allowing it while being called God. We can't be found out for having witnessed it and done nothing!" Yussif reminds him, "An open investigation, you said. Let's see what He says."

Judas, meanwhile, has risen from the table and stoops down to investigate the alabaster jar, announcing with a strained voice, "Pure nard of the highest quality!" "What troubles you, Judas?" asks Jesus. Judas stands and asks stiffly, "Why was this ointment not sold for hundreds of denarii?" Shmuel adds in an accusing tone, "You just told a story about how caring for the poor is akin to caring for the Messiah." "Yes!" shouts Judas. "This could have been given to the poor. This could have been used for anything--supplies, shelter, things we need. But this, this is a waste!" Judas kneels down to Mary, weeping softly by Jesus' feet, asking her in a demanding tone, "Where did you get this money, Mary?"

Jesus tells Judas in a loud voice, "Leave her alone! She has done a beautiful thing to Me. You will always have the poor with you and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have Me. She has done what she could." Mary is again looking at Him with joy. Jesus explains, "She has anointed My body beforehand for burial." Mary the mother of Jesus lets out a short but discrete gasp, as if her soul has just been pierced (Luke 2:35). Lazarus closes his eyes and bows his head as if in pain. "Burial?" "What does that mean?" ask two disciples, but Peter quiets them and says, "Let Him finish." "Believe Me," says Jesus, "wherever the Gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her" (Matthew 26).

Shmuel proclaims with contempt, "What Your follower said is right: this act was wasteful, immodest, and completely contradicts everything You said before about the poor and lowly!" Lazarus reminds him, "He said, 'They will always be with us.'" Shmuel, ignoring him, continues to rant, "The very notion that such a disgrace could be proclaimed throughout the world as part of Your Gospel when instead it should be reproached, rebuked, and condemned: it's--I can't be in the same room with this abomination!" Andrew, echoing something his brother said before when Jesus confronted self-righteousness, comments, "Sounds like a personal problem."

Shmuel says with sorrow and anger, "I wanted to believe. I came here to give You a chance, and You've ruined it!" Jesus, looking at Him with a pained expression, lifts up His hands and says, "I'm sorry I couldn't help you." Shmuel tells Him in a threatening tone, "I'm sorry I couldn't help You!" He turns his back on Jesus and bolts out of the house.

Judas rises from the table and says, "Rabbi, that is not the man we want to upset if we're trying to unite our people." Yussif and Arnán also rise. Yussif significantly asks, "For burial?" Jesus gently nods in affirmation.

Shmuel is pacing outside Lazarus's house by the horse and wagon that obviously brought him and his companions there from Jerusalem. Seeing Judas come out of the house he asks, "You: where are you going?" Judas answers in a bewildered voice, "I ... I don't know." Shmuel says, "You are the one who asked why the nard wasn't sold and given to the poor." Judas cautiously replies, "I'm not sure I should be talking to you." Shmuel tells him, "You're the only one in that room with any sense in your head!" Judas replies, "It doesn't take much sense. I was just pointing out the facts. If the parable He said was true, then everyone should have seen how incongruous the waste was. There should have been more dissent." "What are you going to do?" asks Shmuel. Judas tells him defensively, "I'm not like you! I believe He is the One. I spoke up in that room because I care about all of us getting this right. We have an opportunity this coming Passover to unite over a million of our people against our oppressors. This is too important to be divided!" Shmuel says, "I agree with you. Our people should be united."

Judas quickly says, "I better go" when he hears people coming out the front door. He is gone by the time Yussif, Arnán, and Lazarus appear, but still within earshot when Shmuel asks him, "May I speak to you again?" Arnán says to Lazarus, "I apologize again for the outburst. If I would have known, I wouldn't have ...." Lazarus reassures him, saying, "No, no, no. Jesus wanted to talk to him. He is glad you came." Lazarus observes, "Shmuel made his choice." Yussif tells him, "I want you to know I do not share his indignation." "I know," says Lazarus. "Good luck on ride back to Jerusalem. It seems like it could get awkward." Arnán says soothingly, "Ah, we'll manage" before exchanging an embrace, cheek kisses, and Shaloms with his dear friend. Lazarus and his new friend Yussif trade warm Shaloms.

At the state dinner party with Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas, and their wives and entourages, Joanna the wife of Chuza looks solemn amid the indistinct chatter and laughter. Herod says to Pilate in mock seriousness, "Pontius, show some solidarity with me in the finer things and stop pretending you like our food." Pilate says lightly, "I don't know why you hate being Jewish so much. I like this bread." Then he adds, "I do not, however, enjoy accommodating these unprecedented crowds." Herod says, "I can't believe we made it to this dinner without running someone over." Pilate quips, "Not that you would have noticed if you did." Herod, ignoring that, tells him, "You do know why there's so many people here this year? A lot of time people can find excuses: 'Oh, my eema is not feeling well,' 'My horse is pregnant and about to give birth,' 'I rolled my ankle: the pain is excruciating!' 'The journey is too long. I'm not coming this year.' But this year ...."

"This year, what?" asks Pilate. "You're telling me you really don't know?" says Herod. "I want to hear you say it," banters back Pilate. "Well, apparently, there's some kind of miracle worker," Herod replies. "Go on," says Pilate brightly, "Say His name." There is silence until Pilate's wife speaks up, saying, "Jesus of Nazareth." Pilate says, "Hades and Styx, Claudia: he was almost there!" Herod responds, "Nazareth: no one important or significant has ever come from there." Pilate tells him matter-of-factly, "The very fact that Claudia and I know His name suggests otherwise." "Well, no one inherently important," Herod concedes. "I admit, I am somewhat curious about the perception others have of Him." Pilate says, "Yeah, I would imagine so, seeing how the words 'new king' have even reached my house," baiting him on a subject the Herodian dynasty is notoriously sensitive about.

Herod takes the bait, saying, "You heard 'king' specifically?" Pilate says blithely, "I'm sure it was just a joke" and then changes the subject, saying dramatically, "So what about the man from Bethany--the one they say was raised from the dead?" Herod responds, "I received assurance from the high priest that the claims are being investigated. According to Caiaphas, who is not given to overstatement, if the raising of Lazarus is confirmed, the masses of people will rise behind Him and," in return baiting Governor Pilate, "you'll be looking at an insurrection on the scale of the Maccabees." 

Pilate and his wife look alarmed. Now sounding serious for the first time tonight, Pilate replies, "Didn't you just say that He was just a curiosity to you? And before that, no one of import? Now you're referencing the Maccabees! What am I looking at here?" Herodias says in a casual tone, "Those are Caiaphas's words, not ours." Pilate thinks and then replies deviously, "If Lazarus is all that this comes down to, then you all are woefully unskilled in the art of cunning. Puerile!" Herod inquires mildly, "Your move would be?" "Well," answers Pilate, "if you want to delegitimize Jesus by proving that Lazarus is still dead, then make sure Lazarus is still dead." Herodias says to Herod, "He means kill Lazarus," which Herod well knows. "I'll pass your idea along," replies Herod. Claudia speaks up: "Hold on, if Jesus did indeed raise Lazarus and Caiaphas has Lazarus killed, why wouldn't Jesus just resurrect him again?" Joanna is glad to hear that, but the others are not. Pilate breaks the awkward silence by saying, "Well, now that would really be something, wouldn't it?" Weak laughter ensues.

Sometime after the state dinner, Joanna is standing alone on a balcony in the palace, overlooking an area where various Jewish families can be seen celebrating Passover week together. Claudia soon stands near her and gazes out, commenting, "They come on foot hundreds of miles to an overcrowded city with uncomfortable lodging options. Do you believe in anything so much? I wonder what it would be like to have that kind of belief." Joanna responds cautiously, "We believe things." Claudia quickly asks, "What if it cost you something dear, would you believe it then?" Joanna responds humbly, "I don't understand." Claudia shakes her head, laughs, and says, "I'm so sorry--it's Joanna, right?" 

They quickly get on a first-name basis with one another and Claudia sympathetically remarks, "I can't imagine how you must have felt down there: everyone can see what is going on between Chuza and Cassandra. The gall that he would bring her here under the guise of what, that you all needed a travel companion? It's disgusting!" "It is," agrees Joanna. "Truthfully, what you're picking up on is something I've already dealt with. He and I no longer share a bed." "Neither do Pontius and I," says Claudia, but not because of marital unfaithfulness. "He says I thrash too much," Claudia explains, a foreshadowing of a dream the Bible records that she will have (Matthew 27:19) and a reminder of a dream she had in a previous episode. 

Deciding she can confide in Joanna, Claudia explains further, "I think he has been having trouble sleeping." "Yes," says Joanna, venturing to ask, "Do you think he's taking this Jesus seriously?" "He's trying not to," Claudia answers honestly "or better said, he's hoping not to." "Why not?" asks Joanna boldly. Claudia pauses and says, "Whether it's the wine or the fact that I haven't spoken with an intelligent woman in a while, but look, Joanna, it's no secret that Pontius's assignment was just as much about his father's influence as his own qualifications. Perhaps some of his actions have been an attempt to compensate for that. Either way, his next rebuke from Tiberius will be his last."

"I see," says Joanna quietly. Claudia remarks, "I suppose he's hoping that the tension and anticipation in the air is about something other than the Nazarene." Joanna tells her honestly, "I have a bad feeling about it." Claudia faces her and says, "Either we both have poor intuition or something serious is about to happen." Joanna droops her head and confesses sadly, "What can someone like me ever do? I feel like a prop in their theater of power. Like a decoration." Claudia tells her, "I think we could be more than that if we believe in something as much as they do," gesturing toward the Jewish families celebrating Passover week. Joanna smiles hopefully.

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, at whose Word all came to be," say James and John in thanks before breakfast at Lazarus's house. They enjoy Martha's cinnamon cakes, but James says he feels guilty because of how much he likes their mother's cinnamon cakes. Nathanael comes in announcing a surprise and then leads in Salome, their mother, along with Eden. They are happy to see them, but feel like guilty little boys wanting to hide their treats from mom. When Nathanael innocently asks what they are eating, they both instinctively shush him.

Jesus is walking outside with Matthew and Zee on a dirt road  overlooking Jerusalem. They stop at an intersecting road leading to a nearby village. He tells them, "Go into that village and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and with her a colt on which no one has ever sat. Untie that colt and bring it to Me." Matthew asks, "You want us to steal livestock?" "Borrow," clarifies Jesus. "What are the terms of the loan?" asks Matthew. "If anyone asks you why you are untying it, you will say this, 'The Lord has need of it,'" answers Jesus. Matthew nods and says, "You want to borrow a burro." Zee tells him, "Let's go." Watching them from behind a bush nearby is the Roman cohort Atticus.

Jesus is now joined on that dirt road by His mother, who is wearing His backpack. She tells Him, "You forgot Your bag in Your room." "On purpose," He tells her, taking it off her back. "I knew you would know I needed it." Looking out over Jerusalem, He says, "This day has been a long time in the making." "Generations," says Mary. "Since Joseph isn't around to see it," explains her Son, "I thought it only fitting you bring it. It represents him and a way for the three of us to be together today."

Mary changes the subject: "What You said yesterday about the perfume, that she was preparing Your body for burial, do you know how hard that is for a mother to hear?" Jesus gently cradles her shoulders and tells her, holding back tears, "I can't shield you from this anymore. I'm sorry, Eema. Maybe you should stay back with Lazarus. Perhaps that would be the more loving thing for Me to have you do." Mary gently shakes her head no and says to Him reassuringly, "One day at a time. I want to enter this city with You." He nods His head affirmatively and kisses her forehead. They clasp hands, overlooking Jerusalem.

Matthew and Zee enter the village. As they begin looking for the donkey and her colt, Atticus discretely follows their steps. Down a flight of stairs, the 2 disciples hear a braying sound. Seeing a donkey tied with her colt, they go downstairs and begin untying the colt. A man soon notices and asks with surprise, "Who are you? You're taking my master's colt?" Matthew tells him, "The Lord has need of it." Zee says, "Our Master." The man begins to protest, but Matthew interrupts to ask, "Has anyone ever sat on this colt?" The man answers, "No, no one. What is this about?" Zee repeats, "The Lord has need of it."

The man steps back and asks, "Are you followers of the Nazarene who raised Lazarus?" Zee smiles affirmatively and asks, "Do you know the prophets, especially those after the exile? From Zechariah: 'Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9). The man joins him midway in this Messianic prophecy, and completes the last part himself. He says in awe, "This colt? Today? What are you waiting for?" All 3 men are visibly moved by this momentous occasion.

As Zee and Matthew lead the colt away, the man wastes no time mounting a horse nearby and riding swiftly into Jerusalem. Atticus, watching, quickly orders a centurion to surrender his  horse so he can follow that man. 

Back at Lazarus's home, Lazarus hugs his sister Mary goodbye as she leaves with Jesus's disciples. Thaddaeus says with surprise, "Lazarus, you're not coming?" Lazarus answers, "Jesus said I should stay back, law low for a while." Martha, Mary, and others wave farewell to him.

The man on horseback dismounts when he reaches a wall within Jerusalem, and runs along its side, proclaiming as he goes to everyone he sees on the way, "He's coming: Jesus is on His way! Jesus is finally here!" Many follow him, chattering excitedly. The man dashes into the temple courtyard where Jesse and Veronica are telling others about Jesus. He loudly tries to make his way over to them through the crowd and when they notice, Veronica points and says, "It's Zechariah!" He providentially has the same name as the prophet whose Messianic prophecy he just helped fulfill. Zechariah excitedly tells his friends and everyone gathered around, "Jesus of Nazareth is on His way to Jerusalem, entering from the eastern gate!" "You're certain?" asks Veronica. "His followers have assured me," answers Zechariah. "He will enter the city soon." Jesse wonders if his brother, Simon the Zealot (Zee), will be among them. "Only one way to find out!" says Veronica. They run toward the eastern gate with many people following them.

Jesus and His mother are still on the thoroughfare by Jerusalem. From one direction the apostles and other close disciples converge on their position. From the other direction Matthew and Zee, returning with the donkey colt, do the same.

Inside the city, a boy climbs up a ladder, loosens palm branches one by one, and hands them down.  Obviously many others are doing the same since more and more people are walking with tall palm fronds held upwards. In a veiled wagon held up by the swelling crowd are Chuza and Joanna. Chuza complains, "This infernal chaos! Why can no one control these people?" He angrily orders the driver to press forward, but the driver informs him he cannot. Joanna looks beyond the veil, notices many people holding palm branches, and realizes something important is happening. She hears someone say, "He's on His way!" Joanna looks up toward heaven and then fixes a level gaze at her husband. She tells him, "Goodbye, Chuza" and quickly steps out of the vehicle, blending into the crowd. Chuza also steps out, ordering Joanna to come back and asking if she is crazy, but he is not willing to wade into the crowd so he steps back in.

Yussif and his father enter the swollen city, newly returned from Lazarus's house in nearby Bethany. They look in wonder at all the people carrying palm fronds and hear two voices that utter a significant Messianic cry soon repeated throughout the city: "Hosanna! Hosanna to the Son of David!" (Matthew 21:9). One of those voices belongs to Veronica, whom Yussif met in Capernaum just before Jesus healed her bleeding malady. Yussif tries to make his way over to her.

Shortly before Jesus's followers surround Him on the road, Mary, looking at Jesus, reaches down toward Jesus's leather backpack and opens it. He pulls out the wooden box that has been handed down for generations through the descendants of Judah since the first Passover and lays it gently in her open arms, His hands grasping its sides. Mary looks at Him and then exhales a solemn breath. Jesus smiles and looks ahead.

Pilate and his wife are looking out over a high wall at the sea of people holding a forest of palm branches. The governor looks nervous and quickly walks inside. Claudia remains, curiously watching the scene unfold. Down there is her new friend Joanna, who eagerly buys a whole bundle of palm branches and distributes them with joy to anyone she meets. One of those persons happens to be Rabbi Shmuel, who soon tosses the palm frond to the ground with disdain, knowing its Messianic significance and having just rejected Jesus for not being the kind of Messiah he wants. Standing high above him, surveying the scene with a frown, is another person feeling the same way: the high priest Caiaphas.

Jesus opens the box His mother is holding, a faraway sound of an Egyptian horn being heard as He does, and carefully takes out the ancient but sturdy leather bridle. He and Mary take one last, good look at it and each other before Jesus nods at Zee to take it from His hands for the colt. At the bottom of the backpack, Jesus and His mother take out two thick cloths. One Mary hands to Zee for the animal's back as a simple saddle. The other is an orange-brown cloak Jesus wraps around His shoulders.

The Lord's 12 apostles stand facing Him, as do Mary Magdalene and Tamar, Martha and her sister Mary, Eden, Salome and Zebedee. Jesus tells them, "The time has come. I must do the will of My Father in heaven. I know you all have many questions, and there will be a time for those. But for now, will you come with Me?" Several in this group silently nod or smile. Peter speaks up, "Lord, where else would we go? You alone have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). Jesus, moved, studies each precious face before replying, "No matter what happens this week, no matter what you see or feel or think or do, I want you to know that in this world I loved you as My own, and I will love you till the end."

Jesus nods for Zee and Matthew to lead the young donkey toward Him. Jesus places a gentle hand on the animal's neck and guides the reins attached to the bridle over its head, securing them under one hand. He places His hands firmly on the colt's back and propels Himself upward, swinging His left leg over and centering Himself astride. Jesus nudges the donkey forward at a slow, steady stride. His mother follows first and then Peter with the others. Jerusalem looms in the background.

Illustrated Summaries of All The Chosen TV Series Episodes (Quotes, Links, and Photos)

#TheChosen  #BingeJesus  #SeeHimAsTheyDid 

 #QuotesfromTheChosen