The Chosen_ Not What You Expected
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The teacher began by reminding the class of the core premise of *The Chosen*: the Greek term ek‑lokas signifies “to choose,” pointing to the selection of the twelve apostles. He linked that ancient calling to the present day, asserting that every Christian today is chosen by Jesus, a truth supported by Ephesians 1:3. The episode’s title, “Not What You Expected,” was explored through the opening scene of Mary’s encounter with Roman soldiers, which set the stage for the selection of Simon the Zealot, a member of the revolutionary Jewish group opposed to Roman oppression. The class then shifted to the Gospel of John, chapter 5, verses 5‑17, recounting the miracle of the man healed at the pool of Bethesda. The teacher highlighted how Jesus’ command to pick up the pallet on the Sabbath caused the religious leaders to focus on legalism rather than the miracle itself. He drew parallels between the man’s fear of criticism and the modern believer’s response to blessings, stressing that true gratitude often confronts cultural or religious pressures. The discussion wrapped up with reflections on how the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 23 expose the burdens of added traditions, encouraging the gathered believers to live confidently as God’s chosen people.
Key Scriptures
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
And a man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. Jesus saw him and knew that he had already been ill for a long time. He said to him, 'Do you want to be healed?' The sick man answered him, 'Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.' Jesus said to him, 'Get up, take up your pallet, and walk.' Immediately the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and began to walk. Now that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to the man who had been healed, 'It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.' But he answered them, 'The man who made me well said to me, 'Take up your pallet and walk.'