I’m pondering upon the gift of the writers and composers of The Chosen as I take in Season 3, absorbing the brilliantly prophetic stories and musical score. Their godly imagination creates words, music and sounds that create worlds. Those worlds can expand our consciousness, which opens our minds and hearts to more. I imagine it as unblocking a channel to the Holy Spirit.
Physically, we are moved to chills and tears. Many experience revelation and healing as they become open to seeing the old stories through new lenses. Our imagination is stimulated by new backstories that expand our minds to embrace possibility and hope that may have gotten stifled by past accepted certitude and box building.
God seems to be moving so powerfully through art and music. The times are ripe with artists who feel free to explore more vulnerably and openly as they welcome doubt and wonder and leave behind certitude that closes so many doors….
I was thinking about how Jesus, in S3E4, had to deal with the expectations of the people in the synagogue about what a prophet would say and do. And Jesus, the greatest prophet, our God, was run out of his own home town. Ironically, Dallas Jenkins also received much criticism from this scene that thrilled and inspired so many as Jesus spoke authoritatively to the religious leader who threatened him with the law of Moses, saying, “I AM the law of Moses.”
So much of the failure to see the authentic Jesus is a result of our limited expectation and clinging to ideas that only fit in our little boxes. Makes me remember all the way back to Nicodemus in Season 1. “What if God is more strange and wonderful than we can imagine?” Now that is a beautiful question.
Art can move hearts when other things can’t. It is chill-inducing when we hear artistic expression that feels God-breathed. So very grateful for these visionaries who are vulnerable and risk-taking in their art, and who honor God and bless us with their expression.
Our writers, Ryan Swanson, Dallas Jenkins and Tyler Thompson, and our composers, Dan Haseltine and Matthew S. Nelson are deep wells of creativity and intuition. They have open hearts and eyes that see what is before them, not simply informed by what they know.
I remember Matthew Nelson’s words about composing music, and finding the golden thread that he keeps pulling on until the beauty and the divinity are discovered therein. God gives so many good gifts and I am thankful for them all, but I am so very grateful for this prophetic art that is racing across the world, into hearts.