226: The Chosen S1E7 — “Invitations”

BEMA Episode Link: 226: The Chosen S1E7 — “Invitations”
Episode Length: 38:55
Published Date: Thu, 01 Jul 2021 01:00:00 -0700
Session 6
About this episode:

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings continue a review of The Chosen with a discussion on the seventh episode.

(No) Discussion Video for BEMA 226

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

180-degree rule — Wikipedia

Todd Vaziri on the 180 Line — Twitter

Transcript for BEMA 226

Notes

*Note: The following notes are handwritten by me, Adam, and I reserve the right to be wrong.

BEMA 226: The Chosen S1E7 - “Invitations” - Study Notes

Title & Source Summary

Episode: 226 - The Chosen S1E7 - “Invitations”

Hosts: Marty Solomon and Brent Billings

Focus: Analysis of The Chosen Season 1, Episode 7, covering John 3 (Nicodemus’ encounter with Jesus) and Matthew’s calling

This episode provides an in-depth discussion of the seventh episode of The Chosen’s first season. The hosts examine two primary narrative threads: the famous nighttime encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus (John 3), and the calling of Matthew the tax collector. The episode opens with a flashback to Moses and the bronze serpent (Numbers 21), connecting Old Testament imagery to Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. The hosts explore themes of faith versus reason, spiritual transformation, and the radical nature of Jesus’ invitations to follow him.

Key Takeaways

The bronze serpent story from Numbers 21 presents ongoing interpretive challenges, requiring careful balance between Old Testament context and New Testament connections
Faith often transcends human reason, as demonstrated in both the Moses narrative and Nicodemus’ struggle to understand spiritual rebirth
Jesus consistently demonstrates full trust in God’s story without anxiety or need to control outcomes
The calling of disciples like Matthew represents radical social disruption - inviting those considered unworthy or unclean into community
Nicodemus represents the tension many believers face between theological understanding and practical life constraints (family, position, security)
Documentation of Jesus’ teachings by disciples like John provides a plausible model for how the Gospels were recorded
The phrase “get used to different” captures the essence of Jesus’ ministry - constantly overturning expectations and social norms
True hospitality and generosity characterize Jesus’ community, thinking beyond immediate needs to care for future travelers
Meeting with Jesus constitutes “standing on holy ground,” even when the intellectual questions remain unresolved
The Kingdom of God addresses something much bigger than political liberation - it confronts spiritual death and sin

Main Concepts & Theories

The Bronze Serpent Narrative (Numbers 21)

The episode opens with Moses crafting a bronze serpent and placing it on a pole, following God’s command to heal the Israelites from snake bites. This raises significant interpretive questions:

Exegetical Challenges:

The story appears to contradict typical biblical patterns (looking at an image for healing)
Reading it through John 3 creates circular interpretation - using New Testament to interpret Old Testament
The “banner” concept (Adonai Nissi - “the Lord is my banner”) may apply, where the pole points beyond itself to God as the true source of healing
The idea of “looking at what you’re most ashamed of” as a path to healing, though poetically appealing, may not be exegetically sound

Faith vs. Reason: Joshua questions the logic of Moses’ action. Moses responds that it’s not about reasoning but about faith. This establishes a theme that runs throughout the episode - the tension between rational understanding and faith-based trust. The 13th century BC dating represents “bold” scholarship, potentially placing the Exodus on the later side of historical debate.

Nicodemus’ Encounter with Jesus (John 3)

This scene represents one of the most significant theological conversations in the Gospels:

The Setting:

Nighttime meeting on a rooftop, cloaked in secrecy
Nicodemus comes as a genuine seeker, not as a trap-setter
Mary Magdalene vouches for Nicodemus’ sincerity, demonstrating her role as a trusted judge of character
The meeting occurs away from Roman observation despite Quintus’ demand to know Jesus’ whereabouts

Key Theological Concepts:

Born Again/From Above:
- Nicodemus initially interprets this literally (returning to mother’s womb)
- The show adds the detail that Nicodemus’ mother is deceased, suggesting he would believe it possible if she were alive
- This demonstrates Nicodemus’ willingness to jettison pure reason for faith
- Distinction between flesh (physical birth) and spirit (spiritual birth)
The Wind Metaphor:
- “You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going”
- Represents the mysterious, uncontrollable nature of the Spirit
- You can only see the effects, not fully understand the mechanism
- Nicodemus can understand this intellectually but struggles with practical application
The Bronze Serpent Connection:
- Jesus connects his future lifting up to Moses’ bronze serpent
- Not about deliverance from Rome, but deliverance from spiritual death
- “It’s not about Rome. It’s about sin” - addressing something bigger than political liberation
- The bigger kingdom offers bigger freedom than political revolution
John 3:16-17:
- Presented in context as part of this intimate conversation
- Andrew and John listen from the stairs, with John writing down the words
- Demonstrates plausible mechanism for Gospel preservation

Nicodemus’ Internal Conflict:

The show portrays Nicodemus as someone intellectually ready to accept the impossible but practically constrained by life circumstances:

Position as a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin
Family obligations (new grandson, though he shows some ambivalence about missing the bris)
Age and established life pattern
Political pressures from Rome (Quintus demanding information)
Relationship tensions with his wife Zohara, who suspects his sympathies

His final statement captures his dilemma: “My heart is swollen with fear. It could tell me nothing except that I am standing on holy ground.” He knows he’s encountering something sacred but cannot resolve all the practical obstacles to following Jesus. The invitation remains open - meet at the well on the fifth day (Thursday morning) if he chooses to follow.

Matthew’s Journey and Calling

Matthew’s story in this episode traces his growing internal anxiety about faith and reason:

Character Development:

More deliberate morning routine, showing internal turmoil
OCD-type tendencies become more pronounced under stress
Questions his mother about whether impossible things can happen that overturn natural laws
His mother refuses his money (calling it “blood money”) on behalf of his father Alphaeus
Disconnect from family remains profound (doesn’t even ask about his sister)

The Calling:

Jesus simply says “Follow me” as Matthew sits at his tax booth
Matthew immediately abandons everything - his position, security, wealth
Gaius tries to reason with him about all he’s accomplished
Matthew’s response: willingness to throw it all away
He unconsciously brings his writing tablet - Jesus notes “there may be some use for that yet”

Social Disruption:

Simon’s shocked reaction: “We can’t call Matthew!”
Jesus reminds Simon: “You thought it was crazy when I called you too”
Key line: “Get used to different”
Matthew hosts the next dinner party, inverting normal social expectations

Gaius’ Perspective: The Roman soldier serves as an outside observer, noting:

Matthew’s mathematical/rational mind has taken him far
Matthew’s response: “I thought they had too” (suggesting his rational approach is now failing him)
“Your brains have taken you far” becomes prophetic - Matthew needs something beyond pure reason

Jesus’ Character and Leadership Style

The portrayal of Jesus in this episode emphasizes particular aspects of his humanity and divinity:

Full Present Trust:

No anxiety about outcomes or circumstances
When the paralytic interrupted his teaching: “How do you know I wasn’t done?”
Regarding Nicodemus meeting: simple trust in Mary’s judgment
Consistent pattern: “It is what it is. This is what God has for me.”
Contrasts with typical “beauty pageant” portrayals that make Jesus barely human

Hospitality and Generosity:

Instructs disciples to leave food for travelers coming after them
Different lifestyle: not doing things only for themselves
Creates space for others, even strangers
This establishes community values that will characterize the movement

Strategic Teaching:

Uses physical touch with Nicodemus (hands, heart) to illustrate flesh and spirit
More interactive and intimate than typical Pharisaic interaction
Doesn’t treat Nicodemus according to his position but as a genuine seeker
Meets people where they are while calling them forward

Radical Inclusion:

Calls Matthew despite his profession and social standing
Tells Matthew he’ll host the dinner party - forcing social integration
Consistently disrupts expectations and norms
“Get used to different” becomes the paradigm for following Jesus

Political Tensions

The episode effectively portrays multiple layers of political pressure:

Roman Imperial Concerns:

Quintus hates crowds: “They take time and resources, and cleanup is a pain”
Crowds represent control problems - can’t manage them like individuals
Even teaching that draws crowds makes Rome uncomfortable
Pressure on Nicodemus to report on Jesus’ activities
Demand to know when and where Nicodemus meets Jesus (which he ignores)

Religious Political Tensions:

Nicodemus caught between curiosity about Jesus and Pharisaic position
His wife Zohara suspects and confronts his sympathies
The risk of meeting Jesus could cost him everything
Internal Sanhedrin dynamics and expectations

Social Disruption:

Tax collectors like Matthew are collaborators with Rome
Calling Matthew threatens group cohesion among disciples
Simon’s strong reaction reveals deep social taboos being crossed
The Kingdom operates by different rules than both Roman and Jewish society

Gospel Authorship and Preservation

The episode offers a plausible model for how the Gospels were written:

John’s Documentation:

Shows John writing during the Nicodemus conversation
Sits on the stairs with Andrew, listening intently
Andrew asks “Have you ever heard anything like this?”
John shushes him and keeps writing
Not overdone or obnoxious, just clever placement
Provides a believable mechanism for preserving exact words

Matthew’s Tablet:

Unconsciously brings his writing tablet when leaving his booth
Jesus: “There may be some use for that yet”
Quiet reference to Matthew as Gospel author
Suggests his detail-oriented, record-keeping nature serves the Kingdom

Historical Plausibility:

No definitive text tells us exactly how disciples kept records
This imagining respects historical possibility
Fits with Jewish oral and written tradition practices
Makes sense given the importance of preserving rabbi’s teachings

Examples & Applications

Modern Parallels to Nicodemus’ Dilemma

Many contemporary believers face similar tensions between intellectual acceptance and practical obstacles:

Career and Position:

Professional positions that might be compromised by radical faith commitments
Academic credibility versus religious conviction
Corporate advancement requiring ethical compromises
The cost of standing against institutional consensus

Family Obligations:

Balancing family security against risky obedience
Generational expectations and inheritance
Caring for aging parents while pursuing calling
Spouse who doesn’t share faith convictions

Social Standing:

Reputation in community versus countercultural discipleship
Established relationships that might be disrupted
Comfort and security versus radical generosity
Age and established patterns making change difficult

Nicodemus represents those who intellectually accept Jesus but struggle with the practical cost of following. His story remains open-ended in this episode - the invitation stands, but the choice remains unmade.

The “Get Used to Different” Principle

Jesus’ ministry consistently overturns expectations:

In Personal Calling:

God often calls those we consider least qualified
Divine logic differs from human merit systems
Previous failures don’t disqualify from Kingdom service
Background matters less than willingness to follow

In Community Formation:

Kingdom community includes unlikely combinations
Former enemies become brothers (Simon and Matthew)
Social barriers dissolve in Christ
Hospitality extended to outsiders and sinners

In Kingdom Values:

Generosity over accumulation
Service over status
Faith over pure reason
Present trust over anxious control

In Modern Application:

Church should expect God to work in unexpected ways
Disruption of our categories signals Kingdom presence
Comfort with our current understanding may indicate stagnation
Welcoming “different” people reflects Jesus’ ministry pattern

Faith and Reason in Tension

The episode explores when faith transcends without abandoning reason:

Moses and the Bronze Serpent:

God’s solution doesn’t make logical sense
Obedience precedes understanding
The mechanism remains mysterious
Results validate trust in God’s command

Nicodemus’ Questions:

Intellectual curiosity leads to seeking Jesus
Willing to question literal impossibilities
Can’t resolve all theological puzzles
Settles on “standing on holy ground” as sufficient knowledge

Matthew’s Crisis:

His rational mind brought professional success
But reason alone cannot address spiritual longing
Questions about impossible things preceding his calling
Abandons security for something beyond calculation

Contemporary Application:

Faith doesn’t require abandoning intellect
But intellectual mastery cannot substitute for trust
Some Kingdom realities transcend rational explanation
Mystery and certainty coexist in authentic faith

Radical Generosity and Hospitality

Jesus’ community practices distinctive care for others:

Leaving Food for Other Travelers:

Planning for those who come after
Generosity to strangers, not just friends
Different lifestyle than self-focused living
Creating culture of provision and care

Matthew Hosting the Dinner:

Those excluded from society become hosts
Hospitality as tool for reconciliation
Forced integration across social boundaries
Table fellowship as Kingdom practice

Modern Applications:

Church as community of radical hospitality
Resources held loosely for Kingdom purposes
Thinking beyond immediate circle to wider impact
Creating space for unlikely people to belong

Potential Areas for Further Exploration

Old Testament Typology

How should John 3 influence (or not influence) interpretation of Numbers 21?
Other instances of bronze serpent imagery in Scripture
The “banner” concept (Adonai Nissi) throughout Old Testament
Principles for reading Old Testament through New Testament lens

Nicodemus’ Continuing Story

What ultimately happens with Nicodemus in Gospel accounts?
His role in defending Jesus (John 7:50-51)
Bringing spices for Jesus’ burial (John 19:39-40)
Whether he fully committed to following Jesus
Rabbinic traditions about Nicodemus ben Gurion

Tax Collectors in First-Century Context

Economic structure of Roman taxation system
Social and religious status of tax collectors
Why tax collectors were particularly despised
Other tax collectors who followed Jesus (Zacchaeus, etc.)
Matthew’s unique perspective in writing his Gospel

Gospel Authorship Questions

Historical evidence for traditional Gospel authorship
Role of eyewitness testimony in Gospel formation
Oral tradition and written records in first-century Judaism
How disciples likely preserved Jesus’ teachings
Differences in Gospel accounts and their significance

The “Born Again” Concept

Hebrew/Aramaic wordplay in Jesus’ original statement
“From above” vs. “again” translation issues
First-century Jewish understanding of spiritual rebirth
Proselyte baptism and connection to Jesus’ teaching
How early church understood and practiced this teaching

Political Tensions in Jesus’ Ministry

Rome’s approach to crowd control and potential uprisings
Pharisaic collaboration and resistance to Roman rule
Zealot movement and political messianic expectations
Why Jesus rejected political liberation as primary mission
How “Kingdom of God” language sounded politically charged

The Cinematography Discussion

The 180-degree line rule in filmmaking
How camera placement affects audience orientation
Possible artistic intentions vs. technical limitations
When rules can be broken effectively in film
Analysis of other key scenes in The Chosen’s visual storytelling

Jewish Calendar and Time References

How Jewish culture referenced days of the week
Creation narrative as framework for weekly cycle
Differences from Greek/Roman calendar systems
“Fifth day” meaning Thursday
Sabbath and its central role in Jewish time-keeping

Comprehension Questions

How does the bronze serpent narrative from Numbers 21 connect to Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, and what interpretive challenges does this connection present? Consider the tension between reading the Old Testament on its own terms versus through the lens of the New Testament.
What practical obstacles prevent Nicodemus from immediately accepting Jesus’ invitation to follow him, and how do these reflect common tensions modern believers face between intellectual assent and practical discipleship? What does his statement about “standing on holy ground” reveal about his spiritual condition?
Trace Matthew’s character development throughout the episode, from his morning routine through his calling. What role does his rational, calculating mind play in both his success and his spiritual crisis? How does his unconsciously bringing the writing tablet reveal something about God’s purposes?
Explain Jesus’ statement “get used to different” in the context of calling Matthew, and discuss how this principle applies to the broader Kingdom of God. What does this reveal about Jesus’ ministry pattern and the nature of the community he’s forming?
How does the episode portray the relationship between faith and reason through the stories of Moses, Nicodemus, and Matthew? What does it suggest about when faith must transcend rational understanding without abandoning intellectual engagement?

Summary

BEMA 226 provides rich analysis of The Chosen’s portrayal of two pivotal Gospel moments: Nicodemus’ nighttime encounter with Jesus and the calling of Matthew. The episode masterfully explores the tension between faith and reason, showing how intellectual understanding alone cannot substitute for trust-based following of Jesus.

The bronze serpent narrative establishes the theme of faith transcending reason, creating an Old Testament backdrop for Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus about being born again. Nicodemus represents the intellectually curious seeker who recognizes he stands on “holy ground” but cannot resolve all the practical obstacles to discipleship. His story remains open-ended, with Jesus’ invitation standing: meet at the well on the fifth day.

Matthew’s calling demonstrates radical Kingdom disruption of social norms. His journey from rational calculation to abandoning everything for an inexplicable invitation shows faith moving beyond what can be computed or controlled. The phrase “get used to different” captures the essence of Jesus’ ministry - constantly overturning expectations and including the excluded.

The episode effectively uses dramatic dialogue to portray historical political tensions without claiming specific historicity for the conversations. Roman concerns about crowds, Pharisaic pressures on Nicodemus, and the social taboo of calling a tax collector all create realistic context for Jesus’ ministry.

Particularly effective is the portrayal of Jesus himself - fully present, without anxiety, trusting completely in God’s story while remaining warmly human and relationally engaged. His hospitality, generosity, and intimate teaching style contrast sharply with typical “beauty pageant” portrayals that make him barely human.

The episode offers plausible imaginings of Gospel formation, showing John writing during significant conversations and Matthew’s record-keeping abilities finding Kingdom purpose. While not claiming historical certainty, these portrayals respect the possibility of how disciples preserved Jesus’ teachings.

Ultimately, this episode invites viewers into the same choice Nicodemus and Matthew faced: intellectual acceptance can lead to seeking Jesus, but discipleship requires abandoning security for the mystery of following one who stands on holy ground. The invitation remains open, but each person must decide whether the gain outweighs what would be lost.

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S6 226: The Chosen S1E7 — “Invitations”

Jesus Meets with Nicodemus and Calls Matthew [38:55]