Dedication

In The Chosen Season 4, Episode 6, titled "Dedication," the series continues to explore the themes of faith, loyalty, and sacrifice, while deepening the relationships between the characters as Jesus' mission becomes more defined. The episode's title, "Dedication," serves as both a thematic and literal reference, highlighting the disciples' commitment to their calling and the challenges they face in staying true to their mission. This episode focuses on the internal struggles of the characters, particularly the disciples, as they wrestle with their own uncertainties and the mounting pressures from external forces.

The episode begins with a tense sequence involving the disciples as they prepare for an important event-a formal dedication ceremony that signifies their growing role within Jesus' ministry. However, the ceremony is overshadowed by personal doubts, rivalries, and the increasing threat posed by those who oppose Jesus. As the disciples gather for this event, old conflicts resurface, and new tensions emerge, creating a dynamic atmosphere that keeps the audience on edge. The interplay between the disciples is a key strength of the episode, with the script providing ample opportunity for each character to express their individual concerns and perspectives. The dialogue is both raw and emotionally charged, reflecting the heavy burden each character bears as they follow Jesus.

The direction in "Dedication" is particularly effective in conveying the internal and external conflicts that permeate the episode. Director Dallas Jenkins uses intimate close-ups to capture the quiet moments of doubt and reflection, while wider shots emphasize the growing rift between the disciples and the world around them. The pacing is measured but deliberate, allowing the audience to fully absorb the emotional weight of each scene. This approach works well for the episode, as the slower pace builds tension and suspense, particularly in the moments leading up to the dedication ceremony. Jenkins skillfully balances these introspective moments with more action-driven scenes, ensuring that the episode maintains a sense of momentum despite its reflective tone.

The performances in this episode are uniformly strong, with Jonathan Roumie once again delivering a powerful portrayal of Jesus. In "Dedication," Roumie's performance leans heavily on quiet authority and compassion, as his character provides guidance to the disciples while also challenging them to confront their own limitations. The scenes where Jesus speaks to the disciples individually are particularly moving, as they reveal the deep connection he has with each of them. These moments highlight Roumie's ability to convey both the divine and human aspects of his character, making Jesus feel both approachable and awe-inspiring. Among the disciples, Noah James as Andrew stands out in this episode, as his character struggles with feelings of inadequacy and fear. James brings a vulnerability to Andrew that is both heartbreaking and relatable, making his internal conflict one of the emotional highlights of the episode.

The cinematography in "Dedication" continues to be one of the series' strongest assets. The use of natural light in outdoor scenes, particularly during the dedication ceremony, gives the episode a sense of grandeur and spiritual significance. The ceremony itself is beautifully shot, with the camera capturing the subtle interplay between light and shadow as the disciples participate in the event. The attention to detail in the set design and costuming further enhances the authenticity of the scene, transporting the audience back to the historical period. In contrast, the darker, more intimate scenes-such as those where the disciples wrestle with their personal demons-are bathed in softer, muted tones, reflecting the internal struggles they face.

One of the key themes of this episode is the idea of sacrifice, both personal and collective. As the disciples prepare for the dedication ceremony, they are forced to confront the reality that following Jesus will require them to give up their old lives and embrace an uncertain future. This theme is explored not only through dialogue but also through the actions of the characters. In one particularly poignant scene, a disciple must make a difficult choice between loyalty to his family and dedication to Jesus, a moment that serves as a microcosm of the larger sacrifices the disciples will be asked to make as the story progresses. The writing in this episode is particularly strong in these moments, as it captures the emotional complexity of the characters' choices without veering into melodrama.

In conclusion, "Dedication" is a powerful and emotionally resonant episode that explores the challenges of faith and loyalty in the face of mounting opposition. The direction, performances, and cinematography work together to create a visually and emotionally compelling narrative, while the script delves into the personal struggles of the disciples with nuance and depth. Although the episode is slower-paced than some of the more action-oriented installments of the series, it is no less impactful, as it lays the groundwork for the conflicts and sacrifices that will define the remainder of the season. Ultimately, "Dedication" serves as a reminder of the cost of following a higher calling and the strength it takes to stay true to one's mission, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

I've been an avid Bible student since I was 21 years old. Prior to that I lived my life without caring what my Creator thought about my choices. My Bible study has only increased in the 40 plus years since I first started reading the Gospel accounts.

I know the Bible very well and am thoroughly enjoying The Chosen series. Naturally, since I am so familiar with the Bible account, I have some opinions about this series. I believe it is important to point out that less than 10% of each episode of The Chosen is actually from the Bible accounts. Ninety percent of these episodes are embellishments; the producer's ideas of how the Bible characters may have spoken, looked and acted, beyond what is written in the Bible. I have no problem with most of those embellishments. As a matter of fact, I appreciate and enjoy much of the non-biblical inventions by the writers of this series.

I would like to speak about the good and the not so good embellishments created by the writers of this series. I hope you will not be offended by my critique.

Season 4, Episode 6 - I and the Father are one. John 10:22 At that time the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was wintertime, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple in the colonnade of Solomon 24 Then the Jews surrounded him and began to say to him: "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them: "I told you, and yet you do not believe. The works that I am doing in my Father's name, these bear witness about me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them everlasting life, and they will by no means ever be destroyed, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 What my Father has given me is something greater than all other things, and no one can snatch them out of the hand of the Father. 30 I and the Father are one." 31 Once again the Jews picked up stones to stone him. 32 Jesus replied to them: "I displayed to you many fine works from the Father. For which of those works are you stoning me?" 33 The Jews answered him: "We are stoning you, not for a fine work, but for blasphemy; for you, although being a man, make yourself a god." 34 Jesus answered them: "Is it not written in your Law, 'I said: "You are gods"'? 35 If he called 'gods' those against whom the word of God came-and yet the scripture cannot be nullified- 36 do you say to me whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You blaspheme,' because I said, 'I am God's Son'? 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me. 38 But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may come to know and may continue knowing that the Father is in union with me and I am in union with the Father." 39 So they tried again to seize him, but he escaped from their reach.

Above is the Biblical passage portrayed in this episode. Unfortunately, the first half of this episode shows Jesus and the Apostles celebrating Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a traditional Jewish celebration, but not a festival to the One Jesus refers to as "the only true God" and "my God and my Father". It is not a Holy celebration to Yehovah. The fact that Jesus made clear "my Kingdom is no part of this world" suggests that he would not partake in any festival celebrating any nation of this world; even Israel, since God has stated that "all" nations of this world must be destroyed (Daniel 2:44) for His Kingdom to be established "on Earth as it is in Heaven". That event is of course, God's war of Armageddon, God coming out the victor.

Then the episode goes into Thomas' invented betrothal to the fictional character Ramah and Peter's grief over the fictional miscarriage of his wife. I would much rather that the writers of The Chosen spend more time on the parables of Jesus than their own invented characters. Also, having Jesus say this line that is not in the Bible "this is not a sickness that leads to death" about Lazarus is completely unnecessary. Why add such a line? Please stick to the Bible narrative when embellishing conversations. That line makes Jesus mistaken at best, and he was never mistaken.

Having said all of the above, the depiction of the confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders to be very well done, even though the Bible does not affirm that any of them were actually struck by stones.

Biblical content 15% John 10:22-39. Hanukkah is a national holiday, not a holy one.