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As Jesus prepares his disciples for the time when he will no longer be physically present with them, he reassures them of the Father’s love and encourages them to ask the Father directly for what they need [00:25-06:09 min].

How confident are you in the Father’s love for you?
Why do you think you feel that way?

Throughout this episode, Jesus speaks openly about what lies ahead—both for himself and for his followers. In Scripture, John 13-17 gives us deep insight into how Jesus prepares his disciples to continue following him after his departure. In these chapters, Jesus speaks about love, the Father, the coming of the Spirit and the kind of faith that will sustain them when he is no longer physically present. In The Chosen, we hear some of this teaching. Let’s read John 16:16-33.

John 16:16-33

16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?”

18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’?

20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.

22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.

26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.

27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.

30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.

32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

What stands out to you in this passage?
What does Jesus say will happen before the disciples see him again?
According to verse 27, why does the Father love us?
Why does Jesus share these words with his disciples? (See verse 33.)
What does it mean for us today to have peace in Jesus, even when life is difficult?

Jesus tells his followers that life will not be easy. They will face trouble in this world. Yet he encourages them to take heart because he has overcome the world. In The Chosen, the disciples respond with confidence, certain that they now fully understand who Jesus is.

Do you relate to their confidence? How confident are you in your understanding of who Jesus is?
How do you continue to grow in knowing him more deeply?
How do you hold on to Jesus when life suddenly feels scattered or overwhelming?
What does Jesus’ encouragement to ask the Father directly for what you need mean to you today?

After entering Jerusalem, Jesus becomes very clear about why he has come into the world [27:26-28:16 min].

Why do you think Jesus says that his soul is troubled?
How do you feel about Jesus being so open about his coming death?

The Bible presents this moment as a turning point—not only in Jesus’ life, but in the story of the world. What has been anticipated since the beginning of the Gospel now comes into clear focus. Jesus openly names what is about to happen and frames it as part of God’s greater plan. The “hour” he speaks of is not accidental or forced on him; it is the moment everything has been moving toward. Let’s read John 12:1-36.

John 12:1-36

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.

3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,

5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”

6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.

8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,

11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.

13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”

16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word.

18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him.

19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival.

21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”

22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.

28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.

31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.

36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

What does this passage reveal about Jesus’ mission and relationship to his Father?
Why does Jesus not ask the Father to save him from what is coming?
Why does Jesus compare himself to a grain of wheat?
What does Jesus mean when he says, “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life”?
How does this teaching challenge the way you think about life, success and obedience?

Jesus uses the image of a grain of wheat to show that life comes through surrender. Following him involves letting go, trusting God and choosing obedience—even when it is really hard.

Where do you see this pattern–surrender leading to fruit–in your life right now?
What does it look like to live this life of surrender with others and not just on your own? How can we help one another when obedience is difficult?
Where are you going and what are you saying yes to as you follow Jesus?

Jesus lived his life with a very clear focus. He says, “This is why I came to this hour.”

What was Jesus’ focus, and what helped him stay so focused?
Do you know people today who live with a strong sense of purpose? What is it like to observe their clarity and direction?

This is a key moment in Scripture—a turning point in the story of Jesus and in the story of the world. When Jesus says, “Father, the hour has come,” he points out the reason he came to earth: his suffering, death, resurrection and glorification. In this moment, love, obedience and sacrifice come together. Jesus shows complete trust in the Father’s plan and willingly steps into what he knows lies ahead. Let’s read John 13:1 and John 17:1-5.

John 13:1

John 17:1-5

What do these verses reveal about how Jesus understood his mission and timing?
How was Jesus able to remain focused on and dedicated to his Father’s will?
What do we learn here about Jesus’ relationship with his Father?
What can we learn from Jesus’ example about surrendering to God’s will for our lives?

Scripture tells us about people who were placed in a specific time, for a specific purpose.

Think of Esther, who became queen in a foreign land just in time to save her people from destruction.

Think of Ruth, who chose to go with her mother-in-law to preserve her family line and became part of the family line of Jesus.

Think of David, who “served God’s purpose in his own generation” (Acts 13:36).

Do you feel your life has a sense of focus or direction right now? How does that direction or lack of direction influence the way you live?
How intentional are you about serving God’s purpose in your own generation?
Do you think you need to know God’s full plan in order to follow him? Why or why not?
Who helps you notice God’s direction in your life—and who might God be calling you to encourage?

This scene from The Chosen shows us something powerful. Jesus becomes part of an ordinary celebration—an engagement. Then a young boy recognises him and cries out, “Hosanna!” What looked like a normal moment is suddenly filled with deeper meaning. This is no ordinary guest; this is the Messiah.

Can you remember a moment when you recognised Jesus in an ordinary moment of life?
How did it change the way you saw that moment?

Before Jesus leaves the celebration, the future bride asks him to bless them—and Jesus does. He says, “Blessed are you, Lord, our God. King of the universe, who created joy and gladness, groom and bride, mirth, song, delight and rejoicing, love and harmony, and peace and companionship. May God bless you, Ruben and Ruthie ...” [44:47-48:22 min].

Throughout Scripture, blessing plays an important role: God speaks blessing, priests bless the people of Israel, parents bless their children, Jesus blesses children, and Paul speaks words of blessing over the churches. Let’s read Philippians 1:3-11.

Philippians 1:3-11

What stands out to you about Paul’s words in this passage?
How do you see blessing connected to love, growth and purpose?
What does it mean to bless someone in real, everyday ways?

Jesus doesn’t only bless the engaged couple. He also blesses their guests: “And to all of you: May the light of the Paschal feast burn within you, that with heavenly desires and pure minds you may attain the festival of everlasting light, the kingdom I am bringing into this world” [48:25-48:53 min].

In what ways have you experienced blessing in your own life?
Have you ever asked God or someone else for a word of blessing? What happened?
How can you intentionally pass on blessing—through words or actions—to others this week?

SEASON 5 - EPISODE 1

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Initial Reflections

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John 16:16-33

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John 12:1-36

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John 13:1

John 17:1-5

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Philippians 1:3-11

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