The Last Sign

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Throughout The Chosen, we see how valuable God’s words are. Matthew and John carefully write everything down. Once, there was a very first copy of every scroll. These words have been preserved and passed down through the centuries, even through times of persecution.

And today, in many places in the world, you can walk into bookstores filled with Bibles in different formats, styles and translations.

What is the first memory you have of reading or hearing the Bible?
Who helped shape your view of Scripture when you were growing up?
If someone asked you why the Bible matters to you, what story from your life would you tell?

Throughout Scripture, God speaks clearly about the suffering of the Messiah long before it happens. In this episode, we see the disciples gradually realising the weight of those ancient promises becoming reality. Let’s read Isaiah 53:1-3 and Luke 9:18-22.

Isaiah 53:1-3

Luke 9:18-22

What do these passages say about who the Messiah is, the suffering he would experience and how people would respond to him?
The passage from Isaiah was written 700 years before Jesus was born. What does it mean that the Messiah would be despised, rejected and a man of suffering?
In Luke 9, Jesus tells his disciples about the suffering he will experience. Why does he want them to know in advance?
How does seeing God’s past promises fulfilled build your confidence in his long-term plan?

When Lazarus realises what Jesus is about to go through and how Isaiah had prophesied about it, he says, “They were just words on a scroll. Now that they are about you, flesh and blood, it’s another story” [56:20-57:29 min].

Have you ever had a moment when God’s Word suddenly became personal and real to you? Tell us about it.
Let’s reflect again on Isaiah’s descriptions of the Messiah. “He was despised and rejected by men … a man of sorrows … familiar with pain …”
• What do these words reveal about Jesus’ love?
What is one concrete step you can take this week to live out what God is teaching you?

“Jesus wept” (John 11:35). It’s the shortest verse in the Bible, yet it reveals so much about Jesus’ heart. He is deeply moved by his friend’s death, even though he knows what is coming next.

In this episode, we also sense a growing distance between Jesus and his followers. As he reveals more and more of who he is, he stands alone. No one fully understands him. As Mary wonders at the end of this episode, maybe they don’t fully want to understand. Jesus is moved to tears by grief over his friend’s suffering and perhaps also by loneliness as he faces his own.

How does knowing that Jesus is emotionally involved in your life impact you?
Has there been a moment when you needed Jesus to understand your situation, and it felt like he did? What happened?
Have you ever felt like Jesus did not understand your situation? How did it affect your relationship with him?
What do you do when you don’t understand Jesus?

The Bible speaks about Jesus’ ability to understand our struggles—not from a distance, but from experience. He doesn’t simply watch our pain; he has lived it. This shapes how we walk with him and how we walk with others. Let’s read Hebrews 2:17-18 and 4:14-16.

Hebrews 2:17-18

Hebrews 4:14-16

What do these passages say about Jesus’ humanity, his ability to sympathise with our weaknesses and his willingness to help us in our struggles?
What does it mean that Jesus suffered, was tempted and understands us completely?
What does it mean that we can approach the throne of grace with confidence?
• How do these truths impact your life today? How do they change the way you view suffering, prayer and community?

Let’s consider James and Thomas. These are two men responding very differently to the suffering they face.

Thomas is furious, confused and heartbroken. He can’t understand why Jesus raised Lazarus but did not heal Ramah.

In contrast, as Little James reflects on his own disability and the fact that Jesus has not healed him, he simply says, “That’s between me and God. As should be most of the things that people have been arguing about tonight” [1:02:28-1:02:55 min].

Each disciple carries their own questions and emotions as they try to support Thomas and Little James the best way they know how.

What do you think about Little James’ perspective?
How do you respond to suffering? Do you allow yourself to feel it? How?
It’s natural to desire a quick miracle to fix whatever suffering you face. But what if God chooses to reveal his glory and his kingdom, not through a sudden miracle, but through your steady faithfulness and growth in the face of suffering? How would that impact the way you respond to suffering today?
• How do you walk alongside others, like Thomas or Little James, who suffer?

Judas feels like everything is going in the wrong direction, “Shouldn’t we be winning, not losing constantly? This stumbling around in sackcloth and ashes all the time hardly looks like glory.” He imagines a very different kind of kingdom than the one Jesus is building.

Nathanael responds, “Only Jesus knows what true glory looks like” [15:24-16:38 min]. But Judas is convinced that it can’t be what they are experiencing right now.

What is your picture of what the kingdom of God should look like?
Where does that picture come from—your culture, upbringing, faith, wounds, hopes?
Where does Jesus fit into your picture?
How would you define “true glory”, and how is it different from human glory?

All the disciples are seeing the situation through their own perspective. As we follow Jesus, there is space for honesty, searching and not knowing. But because we are human, our perspective is often distorted. So, the question we must ask ourselves is: How aligned are we with God’s plan? How do we tune our hearts to his? Let’s read Matthew 10:39 and Jeremiah 29:13.

Matthew 10:39

Jeremiah 29:13

What does this passage teach us about …?
• Losing your life in order to find it
• Seeking God with all your heart
• Surrender
• Alignment with God’s will
What does it mean to seek God with all your heart? How does that look in your daily life?
What helps you to keep your expectations aligned with God’s will?

This episode highlights the tension between human expectations and God’s kingdom. Judas wants visible victory. Nathanael reminds him that Jesus defines glory. Scripture calls us to seek God fully, surrender our own picture and trust that Jesus’ definition of “winning” and “glory” may look very different from ours, yet is more real and more eternal.

How do you respond when Jesus doesn’t meet your expectations? Does it lead to frustration, surrender or deeper searching?
Where in your life do you feel like you’re “losing”, and what might Jesus be shaping there?
What practices help you realign your heart with God’s kingdom?
Where do you sense Jesus calling you to “lose your life” so you can find true life?
Where around you do you see “true glory” being revealed?

Throughout The Chosen, we see characters processing deep joy and profound grief. Some wrestle, some pray, some sing, some write. In this episode, Mary feels stirred to write a psalm of her own—a personal response to everything she has experienced.

Many in Scripture responded to God in this way: Zechariah sang a prophetic song, Jesus’ mother sang the Magnificat, David wrote psalms, Solomon wrote wisdom literature and poetry, Moses sang songs of deliverance. Each found a unique way to express their faith.

How do you process what happens in your life—both the joy and the grief?
How do you share your experiences with others?
Do you have any creative ways of expressing your faith? Tell us about them.

In the Bible, songs and poems are not “extra”. They are often where the deepest truth is spoken. They give voice to pain, hope, praise, longing and surrender.

Choose one or two to read: Psalm 13, Mary’s Song (Luke 1:46-55), Zechariah’s Song (Luke 1:68-79) or Exodus 15:1-18.

What stands out to you?
What do these passages tell you about God?
What do they tell you about you?
What emotions, questions or praises are being expressed?
How does honesty play a role in these songs?

At the end of this episode, Mary says, “The more I read the songs of David, the more I felt the need to write one of my own.”

She reads her notes to Matthew, reflecting on her years with Jesus. She knows firsthand how life can be bitter and sweet at the same time, and how darkness and light often sit side by side, “The coming darkness was too deep for us to grasp. But then, so is the light” [1:04:50-1:10:00 min].

Not all of us will write songs, but each of us can let our faith take shape in our own words and actions. Looking back on the seasons we’ve walked through, we can respond in ways that strengthen both our own faith and the faith of those around us.

What would you want to say to God in this season of your life?
If you were to create your own “psalm”, what would it look or sound like—a song, drawing, poem, prayer, act of service or something else?
Take a first step today: begin a brainstorm, write a few lines or sketch an idea. Continue at home.
If you feel comfortable, share your expression with the group next time you meet.

SEASON 4 - EPISODE 7

The Last Sign

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Initial Reflections

Dig In

Isaiah 53:1-3

Luke 9:18-22

Respond

Initial Reflections

Dig In

Hebrews 2:17-18

Hebrews 4:14-16

Respond

Initial Reflections

Dig In

Matthew 10:39

Jeremiah 29:13

Respond

Initial Reflections

Dig In

Respond

Find more on our Reading Plan

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Clean (2)

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Ears to Hear

Sustenance

Promises

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Moon to Blood

Calm Before

Sitting, Serving, Scheming

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The Last Sign

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Entry

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The Same Coin

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