One of the most profoundly impactful scenes in The Chosen may be the one where Little James finally comes to Jesus to ask why He hasn’t been healed. This is a scene where art imitates life for the actor, Jordan Ross, and for many of us.
Dallas Jenkins hired Jordan before he knew he had a limp, cerebral palsy, and scoliosis. God must’ve known how much we needed this story. When Dallas later learned of Jordan’s disabilities on set, in his wisdom, he decided to write it into the story, instead of trying to hide his limp, as was so often the case in Jordan’s other projects.
Little James is such a kind and giving character. He struggled to even ask Jesus for healing, but he yearned for it. He felt less than and he wanted to serve God with all his goodness and strength. I will never forget the conversation in this S3E2 scene. Jesus tells Little James that by not healing him he will serve God more beautifully as people see his disability, while he serves and praises God. He is more, just as he is. How powerful and life-impacting to experience how God gives us His strength in our weakness.
We watch this conversation in tears. That was not the answer we, nor Little James, wanted to hear. Yet we knew it was right and true. Jesus said those words with such love and assurance. One day Little James would be physically healed, but for now, Jesus added that he couldn’t wait to hear the stories. I love that last line. I often pray to God that I can’t wait to see what He will do in a situation. I can’t predict. I can only pray and wonder and trust that in the midst a of really hard situation, the suffering is never the end of the story.
As with most spiritual truths, this is a beautiful paradox. “God integrates all fractious dualities into the wholeness of life that Christians call eternal salvation. It’s a life we get to live here and now, by grace and faith.” -Rachel Srubas We can still feel the pain of it, and trust in the beauty of God’s wondrous ways. So grateful for the beauty and wonder of this story. And for the brilliant portrayals by Jordan Ross and Jonathan Roumie. May we soak up the meaning in our lives as we step out in trust and surrender, to be used just as we are.