Jesus’ Personality

Who is Jesus? 

I mean what is Jesus’ personality like?

Who is Jesus? It is a simple enough question and we can answer with Biblical theology: He is the Jewish Messiah. He is the Son of GOD. He is the Saviour of the World. 

Or we can answer historically: Jesus lived during the occupation of Israel under the Romans. Jesus was the son of Mary and Joseph, born in a stable in Bethlehem. Jesus was a carpenter’s son who became a Rabbi and led the world to a new perspective that began Christianity, the biggest religion in the world.

Or we can answer in terms of his character: Jesus was a teacher and a preacher who taught about love and forgiveness, which would move societies from the barbaric to the civilised. 

Depictions of Jesus and Biblical accounts

The Hollywood film Ben Hur (1959) didn’t reveal Jesus’ face on screen; we were shown his back only, out of reverence for Him.

We’ve been introduced to a singing Jesus (Jesus Christ Superstar), a controversial Jesus (Last Temptation of Christ) and a truly tortured Jesus (The Passion of the Christ). Most recently, an incredibly humane Jesus has come into our living rooms (The Chosen).

Who is best? 

Whatever depiction will honour GOD and will draw people to draw to the actual Jesus is “the best” depiction of Jesus, isn’t it?

There isn’t a best surely, because only the true Son of GOD is best.

The Chosen: the most recent depiction of a Biblical Jesus

For those not familiar with the television series The Chosen, I’d just like to mention that it is a storyline about the twelve apostles of Jesus, within the particular context of the Biblical accounts of Matthew and John, embellishing what is not known during the “in between times” of Jesus’ ministry. How did the disciples get on between themselves? What occurred between the sermons and accounts of Jesus as presented in The Bible? What triggered some of the infamous behaviours of some of the disciples?

Are we to endorse this programme or to deplore it? Personally, it took me three attempts to get into it, three attempts to look at it objectively to decide if it was sound or safe or of value to the cause of teaching others about Jesus.

My response

Are we to be pleased that the programme has provided general publicity to get the Word out? Is the audience sparked by the depiction, leading them to seek the Bible and the Word of GOD?

I think so…. Because Jesus and the disciples do not veer from the Truth of the Biblical accounts and yet there is more that serves to give an interesting context to the lives of the disciples and of the time of Jesus’ ministry that can catapult people who watch it to ponder this person, who claims very clearly to be both GOD and man.

The Chosen: a depiction of Jesus

The portrayal of Jesus in The Chosen gives me a sense of access to His person. The portrayal is as one who is transparent, loving, kind, patient, truthful, direct and warm. When I watch, it gives me a sense of being with Jesus. And because the words of scripture are given life through the portrayal, and also through the dichotomy: between the man Jesus — with his vulnerability and passion, and the Son of GOD Jesus — who is divinely wise, acutely obedient and full of perfection, is presented to us. 

And for this portrayal I am grateful to GOD who prompted me to give The Chosen a try, to the creator of the programme Dallas Jenkins, who took the idea and has produced it, and to the actor Jonathan Roumie, who humbly and with great reverence and care, plays the role. 

Why does this matter?

I believe time is short. Jesus will return one day and so much of Matthew 24 which He spoke of is coming to pass even now, that His return may be very soon.

And so, the more Jew and Gentile can be drawn to Jesus, the more can be saved. Yes it matters and yes it is a good thing.

Every blessing,

Sarah