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The Chosen Season 2 – Episode 5

Thursday Nights

August 4, 2022

“Spirit”

Script

Welcome to our Thursday movie night.

We love the TV series called “The Chosen”.

I’d like to remind you that to watch the actual episodes, you are going to need to go to “thechosen.tv” to watch them. You can watch on a browser, or better yet, download the free app, and you can watch on your mobile device, and some Smart TVs now have an “Angel Studios” app as another way to watch all the episodes for free.

Again, let me repeat, due to new copyright changes, we are not going to be showing the actual episode here on our YouTube channel.

So you will need to watch the episode either on the website or one of the apps.

I’d like to encourage you to be sure to turn on “Closed Captions”. You’ll get a lot more out of the episode if you do.

It’s our hope that this little introduction we give each week will give you a little bit of a boost so that you can better enjoy the series.

First, a segment we call…

In the Scriptures

You may want to jot down some of these verses so you can look them up later.

John 5:10-16

(John 5:10–16 NKJV) —10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” 11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ” 12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” 15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath.

Last week we saw Jesus heal a man named Jesse at the Pool of Bethesda.

The story didn’t end there.

John records that the Pharisees were quite upset that Jesus not only had healed a man but had told him to take up his bed and walk … on the Sabbath.

You can read about tonight’s portion in John 5:10-16

Matthew 12:43-45

One of the main themes in this episode has to do with the demonic.

You will see Jesus deal with a person possessed by a demon.

The account in our episode is not from a specific Bible passage, though it is very consistent with the many times Jesus cast out demons.

If you want to do a Biblical study of demons, search for the word “demon” (about 80x), and also search for the word “spirit” (600+ times, but about 2/3 are the Holy Spirit). Most of the references you will want to focus on will be in the New Testament.

Keep in mind, the name of the episode tonight is “Spirit”.

One of the characters will share the principles that Jesus taught about demons …

(Matthew 12:43–45 NKJV) —43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

Psalm 139:8

We saw several of the disciples working on memorizing this Scripture verse. It will come up again several times.

(Psalm 139:8 NKJV) If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

There will be a great side lesson on the benefits of memorizing Scripture here. Look for it.

As with the previous episodes, some of this episode will introduce things with which we have no record of Jesus or the disciples saying or doing.

But the principles that are being laid out are generally very consistent with the character of Jesus as well as the cultural background of how people lived in the first century.

In a way, this is not much different from when a pastor teaches you about the culture and language of the Bible. There is a lot to be learned when it comes to the background of what we read in scripture.

But … if your only ideas about Jesus come from watching “The Chosen”, you are cheating yourself.

As the producers of “The Chosen” will encourage you, make sure you are reading your Bible, and especially the gospels, for the best information.

It’s the Bible we build our lives on, not “The Chosen”.

Now, for our section we call …

Terms and Practices

Demon possession

You will see the presence of demons throughout the gospel accounts.

Sometimes they are also referred to as “unclean spirits”.

Demons are actually fallen angels, eternal beings, some of whom roam the earth and try to influence the affairs of men, even to the point of “possessing” people, or taking control of them.

The people in Jesus’ day were quite acquainted with demons. They were aware that demons want to find living beings, either men or animals, to possess.

Jesus taught:

(Matthew 12:43–45 NKJV) —43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

Spiritual authority

Demons respond to spiritual authority.

There were religious people who attempted to cast out demons –

In Acts 19, we have an account of Jewish men trying to cast out a demon “by Jesus whom Paul preaches”…

(Acts 19:15 NKJV) And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

Then the demoniac beat up the Jewish men.

Jesus gave authority to His disciples over the demons.

(Mark 6:7 NKJV) And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.

(Luke 10:17 NKJV) Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

Yet sometimes the disciples were unable to cast out the demonic.

When Jesus was on the Mount of Transfiguration, some of the disciples had encountered a father and his demon-possessed child. They were unable to help, but when Jesus showed up, He dealt with it quickly.

(Mark 9:28–29 NKJV) —28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

Demons and Smell

You are going to hear a demon-possessed person making references to how things “smell”.

There is a scriptural principle that connects things of the spiritual realm with the sense of smell.

When the priests would offer up prayers for the people in the Tabernacle or the Temple, they would also burn incense at the golden altar in the Holy Place.

The incense was a picture of our prayers ascending into heaven, and the incense had a specific smell – there was a special “recipe” for this incense. Three different spices were combined with frankincense and salt.

You can find the general formula in Exodus 30:34-38.

The holy anointing oil, with which priests and kings were ordained with, also came with a specific smell, from a specific recipe that included myrrh, cinnamon, and a couple of other spices, blended with olive oil “according to the art of the perfumer”.

This anointing oil was to be a picture of the Holy Spirit.

You can find the general formula in Exodus 30:22-33.

It’s as if the Holy Spirit comes with a beautiful “fragrance”.

Notice that both the incense and the anointing oil were pleasant smells, things that were good.

Demons and Names

Some people have made a bit too much about names and demon possession.

When they try to cast out a demon from a person, you will hear some people work at trying to identify the “name” of the demon or demons before they cast out the demon.

This practice probably comes from one encounter Jesus has:

(Mark 5:8–9 NKJV) —8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9 Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.”

But let me say this – this is the only example where Jesus asks a demon it’s name.

If you do your homework, you’ll see that Jesus will cast out many demons simply by commanding them like …

(Mark 1:25 NKJV) …Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”

In our episode … when Mary, who has had personal experience with demons, confronts a demon possessed man, she asks the person for their “name”. Pay attention to how the man answers Mary.

The demoniac responds with the name of the demon, but isn’t quite able to get his birth name out of his mouth.

Why am I pointing all of this out? Because I’m afraid some traditions have placed a bit too much emphasis on names.

Jesus usually cast out demons with a simple command.

He has also given us this same authority over the demonic (Mat. 10:1)

(Matthew 10:1 NKJV) And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

Jesus doesn’t need to hear the demon’s name, though in our episode He will ask for the fellow’s name afterwards, it seems to be only so we can know the fellow’s name.

(Mark 1:34 NKJV) Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

Herod and company

The subject of Herod will come up. Though there are quite a few men known as “Herod”, this is Herod Antipas. Pay attention …

He was the son of Herod the Great.

He had married the daughter of the king of Arabia, but fell in love with his niece Herodias, who was married to Herod Antipas’ half-brother Philip (also known as Herod II).

Herod Antipas will divorce his first wife and marry his niece, after she divorces her husband, Herod’s brother.

Did you follow that? Let’s just say that this is one messed up family.

Herod is the man responsible for the death of John the Baptist (Matthew 14), as well as Jesus.

Hillel & Shammai

In Jesus’ day, the sect known as the Pharisees was divided into two schools of thought when it came to interpreting the Jewish oral traditions or “Mishna”.

Hillel was the older scholar, born around 110BC in Babylon, and had died in AD 10 in Jerusalem.

He was more gentle in his interpretations.

He even had a “golden rule” similar to Jesus, “Don’t do to others what you don’t want them to do to you”.

Shammai was born 60 years after Hillel, and died by AD 30

He was more strict in his interpretations.

They divided over questions like divorce –

Shammai said you could only divorce if there was a serious transgression.

Hillel said you could divorce your wife if she burnt your toast.

They divided over the concept of “white lies”, like whether or not to tell a bride she was ugly or not.

Shammai said it was always wrong to lie.

Hillel said even an ugly bride is beautiful on her wedding day.

Again, both Hillel and Shammai were Pharisees

With this division between these two schools of thought among Pharisees, you are going to get a taste of how politics gets mixed up in the opposition against Jesus.

Lastly, a section we refer to as…

Characters

I’m hoping that by now you are quite familiar with Jesus and the disciples. We don’t have any new characters tonight, but I do want to remind you of a few things about …

Mary Magdalene

… had been delivered from demonic possession by Jesus way back in Season One, episode one. Before Jesus found her, she had been known by the name of “Lillith” or “Lilly”.

In her past, Mary had addiction problems with alcohol.

Jesse

…was the lame man who was healed last week in episode 4. He is the brother to…

Simon Z

…who was a member of the “zealots”. I’m going to call him “Simon Z” to tell him apart from Simon Peter. The zealots were a branch of Judaism that felt the Jews needed to rise up and overthrow their Roman oppressors, even by using violence if necessary.

Last week … Simon was going to murder the Roman magistrate in Jerusalem when he got distracted by his brother’s healing.

Atticus

…is that Roman super spy known as a Cohorte Urbanae. He is on the trail of Simon the zealot, trying to put a stop to the zealot rebellion. He was aware of Jesse being healed.

John the Baptist

Simon Peter calls John a “bug eater” because of him eating locusts. John’s diet will come into play tonight.

John is the cousin of Jesus, born six months before Jesus.

John had a miraculous birth – being born to two old people – Zacarias and Elizabeth.

John’s dad Zacharias, a priest, had been given a prophecy (Luke 1:67-79), including this…

(Luke 1:76 NKJV) “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,

John’s parents knew Jesus’ parents (Zacharias and Elizabeth knew Joseph and Mary)

When both mothers were pregnant together and met each other, God had given Mary a prophetic song we refer to as the “Magnificat” (Luke 1:46-55)

John was known for being confrontational

(Matthew 3:7 NKJV) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

You may want to know that later in His ministry, Jesus will call the Pharisees a “brood of vipers” …twice (Mat. 12:34; 23:33)

(Matthew 12:34 NKJV) Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

(Matthew 23:33 NKJV) Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?

Nicodemus

…was a person we met last season. While he’s not present in the episode, his name is mentioned. He’s a Pharisee known as the “teacher of teachers” with much influence in the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.

Even though he chose not to follow Jesus in season one, he really likes Jesus.

To find out more about the Chosen…

In a moment we will be asking you to go and watch tonight’s episode. How do you do that?

Open your browser and go to “thechosen.tv” on the web, or download the free app for your mobile device. If you are on a SmartTV, you may be able to add an “Angel Studios” app to watch the episode.

Be sure you are watching … Season Two, Episode 5 titled “Spirit”

We also encourage you to give your financial support to this project. We do.

We’d like to also encourage you to think about hosting a “watch” party. Even if you’ve already seen each episode, we are finding it’s so much more fun and edifying to watch with others.

After you’ve watched the episode, head back to the church YouTube channel. We will follow up each episode with a live discussion in our office studio, unpacking and exploring some of the themes and ideas that came up in the episode.

We’ll start as the credits are rolling.

If you have any questions or comments you’d like to share during our post-episode discussion, just text the church office at 714-879-3314

We will do our best to address as many of the comments as we can.

So here we go. Go and watch the episode, and we’ll see you back here afterwards for our discussion …

… in about 45-50 minutes…

After Episode Discussion –

Smells

The demoniac kept mentioning that he smelled something – both on Simon Z as well as the other disciples.

What was he smelling?

Sabbath

Why are the Pharisees so upset about Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath and then telling him to pick up his bed on the Sabbath?

Demons

Have you had encounters with demons? Can you share about them?

Bible Memorization

What role did Bible memorization have or not have in the episode?

How might Mary have benefitted by the verse she had been working on?

Why do you think Jesus encourages Matthew at the end to keep working on his Bible verse?

Jesus and John the Baptist

What did you think of the discussion that Jesus and John the Baptist had?

Did John seem a little pushy or maybe even a little disrespectful in how he talked with Jesus?

Did John realize who Jesus really really was? (The Messiah, God in flesh)

How did Jesus treat John, someone who was pushy, but also loved?

Jesus and Simon Z

Jesus does not seem to initially meet Simon’s expectations of what the Messiah would be like. How does Simon respond to Jesus when He’s different than Simon expected?

Does God ever do things in your life that are not what you expect or hope for?

Jesus tossed Simon’s “sica” dagger away. He said He had a better sword. What do you think Jesus was talking about?

Triggers

Mary was “triggered” or troubled by her encounters with Romans and with the demoniac. This seems to cause Mary to go back to some of her old ways.

When a person accepts Jesus into their heart, are they now immune from all those old “triggers”?

Has Mary lost her salvation? What does Mary need to do?

What does the person who is struggling with sin need to do?

Homework

Next week’s episode is pretty exciting and covers a LOT of Scriptures.

It is called “Unlawful”.

Here are some passages to look up to help you be prepared:

1Samuel 21:1-6 (David and the showbread)

Matthew 12:1-13 (Disciples eating grain on Sabbath, healing withered hand)

Galatians 6:1-2 (restoring those who stumble)

Episode Notes –

Episode 5 – “Spirit”

Mary is working on her memory verse, picking fruit (persimmons)

She sees a Roman soldier on horseback, freaks out

She is “triggered” from her past

Jesse is being interrogated by Yanni and Shmuel about being healed.

John 5:10-15

Jesse is walking in Temple – talks with Atticus

Atticus wants to know what happened to Jesse.

Jesse tells him that Simon thinks the man responsible must be the Messiah.

Atticus looks alarmed.

Simon is praying. Exercising. Does knife drills. Ninja. Cooking. Eating.

Demoniac comes by.

Simon in a tree watching.

The demoniac can smell Simon

Simon won’t kill the man – figures the demon is best left in a man who can tolerate it.

“demon will pass through waterless places…”

The demoniac has been cutting himself.

The demoniac can “smell” something on Simon. Simon assumes it’s from his brother, but there’s a hint that it’s really due to something “holy”.

Jesus, Andrew, Simon, Philip all meet John the Baptist along the river

John not eating meat

John talks about Herod’s immorality

Jesus wants to talk with John alone

Ramah and Mary studying Scripture – learning to read.

Mary is explaining Hebrew to Ramah – the things she says are actually correct, but since Ramah is Jewish and speaks Hebrew, she wouldn’t be asking about writing/grammatical rules, she’d just read.

Matthew and Thomas making food

They are worried about the women

Thomas thinks Matthew is watching Ramah (he’s actually concerned about Mary)

Simon is watching from a tree

Jesus and John the Baptist

Arguing about whether to confront Herod

John is pushing Jesus to be more confrontational

John says, “I get arrested all the time, it’s what radicals do”

John wonders why Jesus is so slow to move forward

Jesus is working on a big sermon

“Brood of vipers” comment.

John knows exactly who Jesus is. Thirty years you’ve been here

They argue about David

Jesus explains Himself – “and that’s just how it’s going to be”

John: It’s becoming real…

John talks about his “abba’s prophecy”, your eema’s song

Jesus is always ready to do His Father’s will

John apologizes for being rude. “You know my heart is yours”

John refers to his miraculous birth by two old people

Atticus finds Simon’s fire. He’s tracking Simon

Ramah and Mary

Mary apologizes for being short with Ramah

Mary talks about encounter with Roman soldier. “Ignored the prayers in my hand”

Matthew is copying Thomas making food

The demoniac makes his appearance

Mary senses it before the noise

Thomas grabs a knife, Matthew a spoon

They run to protect the women

The demoniac appears

He mentions the smell, it’s worse

Mary confronts the demoniac. He knows her demoniac name. Mentions the seven demons in Mary

“What’s your name?” The demoniac replies with a demon name.

The demoniac can’t get out his name (Caleb)

Simon jumps in with his knife

They wrestle, Simon being choked

Jesus shows up – “Out, out of him!!”

Instantly the demon leaves

John says “Yeah!!!”

Jesus comforts the man. “Welcome back. You thought it would never end. What is your name? (Caleb). It’s over now”

John asks when Jesus picked up “the zealot”

Simon asks Jesus about healing Jesse.

Simon realizes Jesus is the Messiah. Asks, “where are your…” Jesus points to his disciples, “Not the fearsome warriors you pictured…”

Jesus realizes Mary has gone, asks Ramah to check on her

Shmuel and Yanni are trying to file a report about Jesus

Nicodemus had shut down the earlier inquiry.

Jesus and Simon talk

30:20 Simon asks Jesus, “Why Jesse?” Jesus said he had been there a long time, “and how else could I get your attention?”

You are Messiah, aren’t you?

Jesus asks Simon to understand the nature of His mission

Jesus asks for his weapon. Throws it into the river. “Didn’t see that coming?” Jesus says He has a better sword.

Jesus says, “I have everything I need, but I wanted you”

“my sica dagger”

Atticus has been following. He picks up the dagger.

Mary is walking on the path to a city (perhaps Jericho?)

A roman rides by. She is crying

She goes into a tavern

She wants to see “Thro” (Jethro)

She is someone “from the Hammer” who wants to win back her money

36:00 Jesus says goodbye to John. Jesus says He will break His silence “soon”

“Such a strange word “soon”

John thanks Jesus for letting him see a miracle

Atticus is watching. Sees Jesus and Simon. Puts away the sica.

Jesus is weeping a bit over John

Shmuel and Yanni are talking.

Two schools of Mishnaic thought – Hillel and Shammai

Yanni says that when an issue is brought to Sanhedrin that can be interpreted two ways, the court splits. (like Paul before the Sanhedrin)

The politics of the Sanhedrin

Most Sanhedrin members follow Shammai

The dichotomy between the Sanhedrin (strict interpretation) vs. the common people (who like Hillel, more tolerant)

Shmuel remembers the Ethiopian woman on the roof in Capernaum

They mention the census records.

At the tavern Mary meets Jethro (who calls her “Lilly” – Lillith)

42:27 Simon Peter introduces Simon Z. to the other disciples

They realize Mary is missing

Jesus is working on the sermon alone

Simon Peter tells Jesus about Mary

He thinks Mary was affected by the demoniac.

They are worried she went to Jericho. Matthew shows up. Jesus asks Simon to take Matthew

Simon agrees to take Matthew

Jesus asks Matthew about the passage he has memorized. Tells him to keep that in his thoughts…

They head off to Jericho…

45:00 End