The Humanity of Jesus: Behind the Scenes of The Chosen

Jonathan's portrayal of Jesus captures his humanity, blending tenderness and humor while conveying profound spiritual truths.

### The Journey of Portraying Jesus: Insights from the Set of The Chosen
* 🎬 The journey of portraying Jesus began five years ago when a short film for a church's Good Friday service led to the casting of Jonathan for the role of Jesus, which was an **unexpected yet pivotal moment**.
* 🎭 The audition process revealed Jonathan's **unique tenderness** that aligned with the vision of Jesus as a character who embodies both **masculinity and gentleness**, leading to a decision made **within seconds** of his audition.
* 📽 Following the initial success, several vignettes were created to explore different perspectives of Jesus's story, which **resonated deeply with audiences**, especially during Holy Week when **thousands attended screenings**.
* 💡 As the series progressed, the creators realized the **importance of exploring Jesus's humanity alongside his divinity**, allowing for a **more relatable and accessible portrayal** that included **humor and warmth**.
* 👥 The collaborative effort between the director and actor fostered an environment where the character's **emotional depth** could be captured, showcasing moments of **genuine connection and humor** that made Jesus feel **more real to viewers**.
* 🌟 Key scenes, such as Jesus interacting with children and dressing his own wounds, highlighted the character's **humanity**, leading to audience reactions that often **deepened their understanding of his divine nature**.
* 🙏 The portrayal of Jesus as both **relatable and divine** has sparked conversations about faith and connection, with many actors and crew members feeling the **presence of the Spirit** during filming, which **transcended the mere act of performance**.
* 🎉 Ultimately, the project aims to serve as a vessel for **conveying the love and teachings of Jesus**, reminding everyone involved that the goal is to **reflect God's love and grace** through their work.

### The Journey of Faith: Behind the Scenes of "The Chosen"
* 🎭 The creators of "The Chosen" emphasize that the show is **not a replacement for Scripture**, but rather a portrayal of **flawed characters**, including Jonathan, who plays **Jesus**.
* 🙏 Jonathan reflects on how portraying Jesus has **deepened his personal relationship with Christ** over the past few years, especially after experiencing a **personal reconversion** during a challenging period in his life.
* 🕊 He shares that through **surrendering control to God**, he found **peace and clarity**, which coincided with the confirmation of his role in "The Chosen," alleviating **previous stresses**.
* 💔 The weight of portraying Jesus is palpable, as Jonathan expresses feelings of **unworthiness** when delivering powerful messages, acknowledging that the project has **transformed his approach to stress and negativity**.
* 😂 Humor on set has served as a coping mechanism, with **running gags about Jesus's poor sense of direction and failed punchlines**, helping to **lighten the emotional load** of their roles.
* 💔 Looking ahead, both actors recognize the **inevitable emotional toll** of depicting Jesus's crucifixion, understanding the **profound impact** it will have on them and the audience.
* 🎬 Jonathan's favorite scenes include his introduction to Mary Magdalene and the impactful moment with the Samaritan woman at the well, highlighting the **power of redemption and authentic storytelling**.
* 🤝 Ultimately, both actors express gratitude for their collaboration, emphasizing the **joy of introducing an authentic representation of Jesus to the world** and the **deep bond they have formed through this journey**.

The immense weight of playing Jesus

The Chosen

The Journey of Casting Jesus in The Chosen

The casting of Jesus for The Chosen began five years ago during a short film for a church's Good Friday service.

The actor, Jonathan, initially auditioned for one of the thieves but was later called to read for Jesus, leading to a powerful depiction of the character.

The success of the vignettes and short films eventually led to the multi-season series, The Chosen, aiming to portray the humanity and warmth of Jesus in a unique and relatable way.

Approaching the Humanity of Jesus as an Actor

The actor discusses the challenge of portraying Jesus, balancing his humanity and deity.

The show's format allows for a deeper exploration of Jesus's character, with the actor aiming to be a channel for the Spirit and embodying the best version of himself on set.

Key moments, like dressing a wound and making a fire, highlight Jesus's human experiences, ultimately bringing the actor and viewers closer to understanding his divine nature.

The Emotional Journey of Portraying Jesus

The actor playing Jesus experiences profound emotions while filming, particularly during a scene with the Samaritan woman, where her joy and transformation elicit a genuine emotional response.

He aims to embody the closest feeling to what Jesus might have experienced, focusing on intense emotions like mercy and compassion.

The presence of the Spirit on set has a powerful impact, often leaving other actors feeling emotional and compelled to share their personal stories, creating a transformative atmosphere.

The character's change of heart and acceptance of Christ is deeply felt, creating a surreal experience for the actor when meeting fans.

The show's portrayal of Jesus interacting with children aims to capture the purity of praise and worship.

The actor's personal relationship with Christ has grown through playing the role, leading to a deeper reconnection and surrendering to God's will.

The speaker struggled to control their circumstances despite putting in excessive effort, leading to a moment of surrender to a higher power.

This surrender resulted in a significant life change and a shift in how they handled stress and financial challenges.

The project they were involved in has had a profound impact on their life and the lives of others, emphasizing the importance of being a vessel for a greater purpose.

The Humbling Journey of Telling God's Story

The speaker reflects on their struggle with feeling unworthy and the overwhelming responsibility of portraying God's son.

They share a transformative experience in Israel, where they felt chosen to tell powerful stories.

Humor becomes a coping mechanism on set, leading to running gags about Jesus's directions and punchlines, adding a lighthearted touch to the serious task at hand.

The actors shared humorous moments off-camera, using laughter to alleviate the weight of their important scenes.

The show's portrayal of Jesus includes light-hearted jokes and relatable moments, aiming to connect with the audience.

The actors acknowledge the emotional challenge of depicting Jesus' relationships and the impending crucifixion, using subtle hints to foreshadow the future events.

The speaker reflects on the importance of being present while portraying Jesus and building his ministry.

They share their favorite scenes from the season, highlighting the powerful moments of redemption and joy, particularly in the interactions with Mary and the Samaritan woman.

The speaker expresses gratitude for the impactful year and the opportunity to work with their co-star in introducing an authentic Jesus to the world.