We finally got The Chosen backstory we’ve been longing for. The first disciple Jesus called was the last backstory given. Of course, it’s perfectly placed. So worth the wait!
And what a lead in… A hooded Thaddeus is the last disciple to arrive at the Last Supper. On the way, he spies a stonemasonry tool and begins to reminisce on his journey from shaping stones to shaping the world, through Jesus’ inner circle of discipleship, all because of his risky “yes.”
Our first significant look at Thaddeus was in S1E5 as he describes his craft to Mary… “Once you make that first cut into the stone, it can’t be undone. It sets in motion a series of choices. A shapeless block… begins its long journey of transformation and it will never be the same.” This, as Jesus readies to perform his first public miracle and “sets in stone” the course of his ministry with a metaphorical first cut. There was no turning back for either of them.
Thaddeus’ backstory, The Chosen version, is a standalone masterpiece. A humble and wondrous beginning. It’s an opportunity to step into Thaddeus’ sandals, listen carefully to what Jesus is inviting him into, and remember that Jesus extends this invitation to you and me, every day.
It’s so interesting to be a witness to this conversation and calling. It was the hardest ask. Thaddeus listens, but, at first, Jesus’ words make no sense.
As they sit down to lunch and learn about each other, Thaddeus reveals his awe of stonemasonry and is shocked when Jesus says that even the wondrous architecture of Egypt will eventually give way to war, the elements, and time. On a lighter note, Jesus refers to the public amenity, which he can’t ever remember the politically correct term for, and instills laughter by calling it exactly what it is, a latrine. Jesus states that in a thousand years no one will even know it ever existed. Thaddeus responds, “or that we existed.” And Jesus, that intriguing disruptor of what we think we know, just raises his eyebrows and says, “Hmmm… well?” Thaddeus is confused and clueless about the force of what’s coming.
Jesus begins with the sad truth: “We are a pair of men building a privy in a small town in northern Galilee, in a tiny country under the occupation of the enormously powerful Roman Empire…”
And follows with a seemingly fantastical dream…
“But what if I told you I have something else in mind for my life, and yours? Something that will last. A kingdom, not built by hands. A fortress stronger than stone. Would you want to join me and help me build that?”
This first calling is so intriguing because Jesus had to go much further to speak to the soul and longing of this young man. Jesus’ truth is so radically different from the world’s wisdom.
The first obstacle after “this makes no sense” is Thaddeus’ insecurity at being identified as someone worthy of leading on a “grandiose” path that he doesn’t even understand. He says he is not good at anything but stonemasonry. Jesus says he knows better, and Thaddeus counters with disbelief and frustration that Jesus doesn’t know him at all.
Jesus now reveals his mysterious, all-knowing self. He not only says he knows Thaddeus, but adds, who better to start building this kingdom with than him! I think we can all relate to Thad’s uncomfortable feeling. Jesus says the same to us. It’s just hard to believe the full truth of his love and faith in us. It’s a challenge to give up believing the lies and relying on our own strength. Thaddeus will learn, as we must, to trust in and rely on Jesus’ strength, as he becomes who God created him to be. And yet he is loved just as he is, as are we. Always.
And we are called to follow Jesus, every day. We are already chosen. We just have to keep saying “yes.” We have to choose Jesus back, and actually follow him. Not perfectly, but with earnestness. With our whole, open hearts.
Back to Thaddeus. He has had enough of this nonsense. He tries to walk away from Jesus. He knows this guy doesn’t have any money to his name. Jesus says, “This is my final offer.” Thaddeus counters, “You haven’t made an offer!”
Jesus lays down an offer to end all offers, for Thaddeus, for you and me. “A new kingdom. Eternal value.” 🤯
Jesus continues: “You’ll be part of changing the world. Become part of a family, not of relatives but of blood bonds just the same. Spend your days with some of the most interesting, unfettered, funny, driven, brave, nurturing, smart, strong, passionate, fiery, loyal, loving, imperfect people to ever walk the earth.”
This gives similar vibes as when Jesus was planning his greatest sermon, as he described these people he knew and loved, personally visualizing each one. It gives me chills as he does the same here with the people he knows so well, but hasn’t even met yet. Another magical mystery as he describes their traits, and ours. Yes, he is also talking about us, and the body of Christ we get to do life with. Oh, may we see each other as Jesus does, calling out the beloved gifts in spite of our imperfection.
“You will see and do things you cannot imagine. You’ll be adored. Hated. Needed. Lost. And found. You will live everywhere. And nowhere. You will lose friends. You will lose all your friends. And your own life….”
Can you imagine hearing this, from Jesus’ lips? Thaddeus is mesmerized as he tries to take it all in. His expression is focused — more like amazement than confusion. I believe it was his open, childlike heart. He could hear the truth of paradox, the hard and beautiful, intertwined. It’s the way of the real world if we have eyes to see. The soul knows these things. Many minds are closed off to such truths, longing for simpler lies. Thad’s mind was wide open.
“You will go to the end of the earth, and yet be part of the beginning of the greatest movement on earth. People will say that you were a fool, and that I was a fool, and that it was all a lie. They’ll call us heretics, and liars, and frauds. Others will celebrate and venerate your memory, and call you a saint…
But none of that’s the point.
The point is that you will have said ‘yes’ to the world’s ‘no.’ That you hoped against hope, and believed against belief. That you surrendered everything, and held fast to the very end.”
Did you hear that shaking tremolo when Jesus spoke about the point of it all? That was the shift, I believe. As Thaddeus heard the point after those incredibly honest, raw, wise, and paradoxical words, he gasped, and his eyes filled with tears. He knew this was his destiny. His “first cut” on his mysterious path of transformation. Nothing else in his world could offer such hope and meaning.
Jesus: “Will you follow me?”
We didn’t need to hear his yes. We saw a young man filled with emotion and new longing. Thaddeus didn’t hear a description of success, power, and potential wealth. He heard something profoundly risky, yet paradoxically freeing and safe. It must have felt like what his soul longed for. What we are created for. Don’t you feel it too?
The scene cuts to our hooded Thaddeus as he walks with such purpose into the Last Supper, to his beloved brothers who were awaiting him and Jesus. They brought their usual brotherly nonsense to provide some levity to this deeply emotional scene. 😅
Wow! I am still stunned by this magnificently inspired experience. Giavani Cairo and Jonathan Roumie so masterfully brought the truth that was needed to this scene. Dallas Jenkins, Tyler Thompson, and Ryan Swanson have given us a gift we can carry with us forever…
This is important. It’s so easy to watch beautiful scenes like this and not fully take it in. We often still want to be worthy of Jesus’ calling. In our world, that can lead to legalism and labels, a struggle for control, and clinging to a rightness that can divide us.
Jesus seeks our childlike hearts that can accept the pain and uncertainty of this world, knowing we are on a path of discovery, as we find our security in him. As we lead with love. He gave us eyes to see the beauty of creation, including the faces of our familial and global brothers and sisters, who can be irritatingly different from us, yet all reflect our Creator. He gave us ears to hear the right voice, his wise teachings. He gave us minds to discern wisdom, and learn his ways as we humbly surrender.
The Chosen writers have always shown us what it looks like to actually follow Jesus.
The struggles we have are actually our path to transformation and healing, with God. Climbing and winning is not the path of growth, but falling into something more beautiful and selfless.
In this story, Thaddeus was told so much more than the others from the very beginning. And now he is walking into what has been foretold, after experiencing all that Jesus allowed him to see and dream about, then experience.
The music that Matt Nelson and Dan Haseltine created… I couldn’t forget! It’s absolutely stunning, and those notes are on the video, so you can see them as you hear the wonder of the music at the same time. Matt shared some quotes of his experience with this cue, as well. Don’t forget that the best place to fully experience the music is the soundtrack. It’s breathtaking, and it’s Matthew S. Nelson’s favorite cue of the season.
Would love your thoughts on this scene and the music. 🎶🤍🎬