S2E4 “The Perfect Opportunity,” is about the healing of the paralytic by the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-14). In The Chosen, the invalid is named Jesse. This episode introduces Jesse and his brother Simon the Zealot. We see Jesus go to Jerusalem to visit Jesse who has been at the pool the longest.
After Jesus heals Jesse at the pool, Jesse picks up his bed and walks.
What does this one miracle do?
Jesse believes and is obedient to Jesus’s command: to pick up his mat and walk. He immediately receives persecution and condemnation from the pharisee, but steps (pun intended) anyway and goes as the Lord commands.
Jesse’s brother, Simon Z, knows and believes that the Messiah has come when he sees Jesse walking. Everything changes for him in that instant and he is delivered. A true Kairos moment: at the same moment Z puts his hand on his weapon to draw it out and commit murder, he sees Jesse walking by and takes his hand off the weapon. He doesn’t go through with the planned murder.
“When Jesse can walk, they would know the Messiah was here.” This is the promise these brothers Simon and Jesse had held all of their lives and were faithful to. When this miracle happens, it is perfect timing and they had the faith to believe.
Atticus is dismayed and a little sad because he was looking forward to the knife fight with Z in the middle of the street, but knows something significant has happened. Shmuel has a look of revelation when his pharisee friend comes running to give testimony, and maybe begins to believe a little more while being convinced of false prophesy because man’s tradition says healing may not happen on the Sabbath.
What does this one miracle do?
In the next episode, S2E5 “Spirit,” Z meets Jesus and witnesses Jesus cast a demon out of Caleb. He asks, “Did you heal my brother in Jerusalem?”
“Simon, son of Zebulon,” is called by name and follows Jesus.
Atticus witnesses Jesus disarming Z and surrendering his sica (dagger) to the Jordan River. Later, when Atticus tracks down Z on a rooftop, he could be thinking about killing him or arresting him. Z, as a zealot, is an enemy of Rome. But he doesn’t, Atticus just wants to talk because he is curious about Jesus and maybe begins to believe.
In S3E5 “Clean, Part 2,” Veronica, the woman of blood, hears about the miracle at the pool from Jesse. She believes and travels to seek Jesus until she finds him in Capernaum and is healed when she touches the fringe of his garment. Her faith has made her well (Luke 8:43-48). She wasn’t hidden any longer. Later in season 5, Jesse and Veronica are preaching the gospel of Jesus on the streets of Jerusalem to anyone with ears.
In S3E6 “Intensity in Tent City” when Z is tracked down by Barabbus (we learn his name in Season 5) from his former order for dereliction of duty, they intend to kill him. Z is now an enemy of the Zealots. The three Zealots are bounty hunters in a sense and have him surrounded with three daggers in the hands of these lethal combatants. They delay in carrying out their orders to witness miracles at Jesus’s hand. They hear Jesus’s preaching, and Jesus speaks directly to Barabbus.
What does this one miracle do?
Z is surrounded by murderers, and by faith steps into his calling. He leans on his faith. The trust and confidence in the Lord. He begins preaching to these men that intend to kill him. He shares the good news, gives them the truth of his testimony, and invites them to join him in following Christ. Barabbus sees the truth, knows the truth and we hope is also beginning to believe. Z is saved by his faith and Jesus’s words. Instead of fighting and relying on his own strength. Instead of cowering in fear or running away. He stands firm and delivers the truth. He decrees the good news, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand, brothers.”
Once Adonai calls you, redeems you and you are forgiven, grace becomes your new lifestyle. Everyone treats you differently, including sworn enemies. When God puts his hand on you, the path he has for you and his will keep you safe. Atticus and Barabbus are each transformed from hunting Z to kill him, to giving him grace and the understanding that Z’s old lifestyle was dead. They willingly disobey orders to preserve Z’s new life pursuing Jesus with redemption and a heart transformed is evident to those around him. Mercy, love and grace prevail in Z’s path as he encounters his former enemies.
The healing of the man at the pool was the catalyst for all of this happen. When asked by his disciple why he healed on the Sabbath, which the pharisees consider to be a sin, Jesus proclaims, “sometimes you have to stir the waters.”