* Little James has a physical disability, and he asks Jesus some challenging questions of "faith, healing and self acceptance." James still showed "devotion and loyalty" to Jesus, even with his pain.
* Joel (also known as Thaddeus) spent three years witnessing Jesus' miracles and teachings. He was the brother of James and a faighful servant of Jesus.
* Simon the Zealot had a "perfect opportunity" to kill a Roman Magistrate, but instead, he said "no" to Barnabas, and followed Jesus; when he saw the healing of his brother at the Pool of Bethsaida.
We too, may have choices in our lives. Do we follow the way JESUS CALLS, or do we go our OWN WAY. There have been times I have questioned the Lord - regarding my health and my work. There are times I have made mistakes and failed. But one thing, I have always done when JESUS has CALLED me is to FOLLOW HIM, my SAVIOUR and my FRIEND.
1. JAMES (Son of Alphaeus)
"Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. HEAL THE SICK, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely, you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:6-8 (NKJV)
This is one of the most "debated" scenes in "The Chosen - Series 3". James and the other disciples had been sent out by Jesus to heal others, yet "little" James didn't understand "Why haven't you healed me?"
Jesus said: "It would be more impactful if you praised God despite your condition. There will be a time when you will be with me in my Kingdom, and you will have no pain."
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know, when your FAITH IS TESTED, your ENDURANCE has a chance to GROW. So let it grow, so when your endurance is fully developed, you will be PERFECT, COMPLETE, needing nothing." James 1:2-4 (NLT)
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death nor sorrow or crying OR PAIN. All these things are gone forever." Revelation 21:4 (NLT)
In Mark's Gospel, James had a nickname, "James the Less", yet he was one of the disciples who stood with Mary, and his own mother Mary at the crucifixion of Jesus. He was a man of great strength and it is believed he was faithful and committed when he followed Jesus.
"There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary, the Mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministed to Him when He was in Galilee." Mark 15:40&41a (NKJV)
Later in His ministry with the early Church, it is believed James was the first Bishop of Jerusalem, in 50 AD. He was later martyd in Perisa.
"They all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers." Acts 1:14
2) JUDE (THADDEUS)
In this Episode Thaddeus (Jude) a stone mason and brother of James, met with Jesus, a carpenter. He was one of the early disciples who decided to leave his work to follow Him. He spent all his time learning from Jesus and watching Him minister to others. Thaddeus was his nickname, amd he had a "courgeous heart".
Thaddeus' servant name was Jude, and in his letters, he does a lot of reminiscing about his time with Jesus. He encourages the early Church in their "holy faith", their "prayers", "mercy" and "salvation".
"But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourself in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to to bring you to eternal life." Jude 1:29&21 (NIV)
"To Him, who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and great joy - to the only God, our Saviour, be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." Jude 1:24&25 (NIV)
He tells us of the OMNIPOTENT GOD - His greatness and all power. He helps is live a JOYFUL LIFE WITH HIM.
Joel preached in Mesopotamia, like the other disciples, and their were many thoughts on his death:
* Was he marytyd in Persia?
* Did he have a simple quiet death.
"We simply don't know. The truth is illusive". Sean McDowell
3) SIMON - THE ZEALOT
Simon was a Zealot - a member of the 1st Century Jewish Political Party. The term comes from an "ancient Aramaic word", and Simon was identified as one of these "nationalists".
They believed that God was the only ruler in Israel, and that the Jews should not be under "pagan rule". They were known for their "violent, guerilla warfare" against the Romans.
"Now there in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda which is surrounded by five covered colonades. Crowds of sick people - blind, lame, or paralyzed - lay on the porches. One of the men had been lying there had been sick for 38 years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, "Would you like to get well?" John 5:2-4 (NIV/NLT)
Jesus and his disciples were heading to Jerusalem to prepare for the Passover. Simon's brother was at the pool in Bethesda, waiting for a time to be healed. Jesus approached Simon's brother, Jesse , and asked if he wanted to be healed. Simon is distracted from his politics and assasination plans, and he is reconciled with his brother. Later, Simon searches for Jesus:
"I have given up the Zealots, their way of life, to FOLLOW YOU, after I witnessed my brother's healing." Simon (The Chosen)
Simon went on the preach in Egypt and then joined Jude (Thaddeus) in Persia. He was said to be cut in half with a saw, though other theologians believe it was just a peaceful death.
"HOLY BIBLE - NEW KING JAMES VERSION." (1982) Thomas Nelson.
"HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAl VERSION" (2011) Biblica
"HOLY BIBLE - NEW LIVING TRANSLATION" (2015) Tyndale House Publishers
"THE CHOSEN" - Series 2, 3 & 5, "Why Haven't You Healed Me", "Thaddeus Meets Jesus for the First Time", "Jesus Calls Simon the Zealot", "The Perfect Opportunity", Jordon Walker (James), Giavanni Cairo (Thaddeus/Jude), Alaa Safi (Simon), Prime Video.
MOEN, Don, "I Offer My Life", (2009), Don Moen (Composer/Performer) TV/Unlimited Worship
CUSHING, William O (Composer), "Down in the Valley with My Saviour I Would Go", 1986, Hymnary.org
SINGH, Sundar, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" (Composer)
McDowell, Sean, "The Fate of the Apostles - Examining the Martydom Accounts of the Closest Followers of Jesus," 2015, Ashgate Publishing
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