In episode 3 of season 1 of The Chosen, we see Jesus spending time alone in the woods when some children visit. He tells the children he comes out here to be alone and pray. Despite those goals, he makes time for the children, answers their questions, and teaches them some lifelong lessons. We see him also working on various carpentry projects during this episode, including leaving something special for Abigail at the end.
Early in the episode, Abigail visits his campsite one day and in the days that follow, brings some friends along each day. During this time, Jesus teaches them and encourages them. He tells Abigail, you are wise to bring your friend because there are bad men out there. He calls Joshua "Joshua the brave" saying he admires his bravery to come to see him and says he is a good friend. Jesus says that they can stay, but that he has work to do. Abigail brings several friends back the next several days and they help him with his projects and asks him questions. One boy talks about how he got into a fight with another boy and how he pushed him so hard that he fell down. Jesus said, "What does the Lord say in the Law of Moses about about justice and vengeance?" Abigail answers, "Vengeance is mine." He goes on to say the Lord loves justice and that "maybe it's not for us to handle." He goes on to tell a story about David and how he had mercy on Saul and says "maybe we let God provide the justice." When you talk to children, whether yours or someone else's, do you look for opportunities for teach them about God and encourage them/build them up?
There is a part of the episode when the children recite a passage from scripture. I know when I was a child, I recited and memorized scripture with a respect out of the Bible and my teachers, but not really realizing the power of the truth. When you were a child, how did you view the Bible and God? As a loving God, or one that makes rules for us to follow?
Although he's a carpenter, he tells them "everyone has a much larger job than just their trade." You are more than just students, you are at school to show love to one another. And to take God's Word and to share it. And at home, to honor your father and mother. And most important, from the law of Moses, to love Who?" Joshua answers, "The Lord, your God, with all your heart." Do you view your job or schooling as just a job or just school or as an opportunity to be the light to others? Do you find that hard to do?
The big picture of this episode is that Jesus loves children and finds them very precious. And I know he loves all children dearly, not just those who study scripture like the ones in this episode. Imagine his compassion towards those children suffering, who have no control over their circumstances: the poor, the lame, the sick. Like Jesus said in this episode, He came to "proclaim good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering sight to the blind, and to set at liberty those who are oppressed" (which was actually a quote from Isaiah.) In the end, it's good for us to keep especially those children in mind and look for opportunities to bless those experiencing the most difficult challenges of life. Is there a child or group of children less fortunate that you have an opportunity to bless?
Summary Questions:
- When you talk to children, whether yours or someone else's, do you look for opportunities for teach them about God and encourage them/build them up?
- When you were a child, how did you view God? As a loving God, or one that makes rules for us to follow?
- Do you view your job or schooling as just a job or school or as an opportunity to be the light to others? Do you find that hard to do?
- Is there a child or group of children less fortunate that you have an opportunity to bless?
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