Season Five Episode Four - Do It My Way God!

[Dr. Shane]

This episode shows an emotional struggle in Judas. Judas argues with Jesus and when Jesus does not agree with him, Judas appeals to Peter. Peter points out that Judas is trusting in self instead of embracing the belief that Jesus knows what He is doing. This is the same struggle that Eve had with the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Eve trusted in her senses instead of the Word of God.

Later in the episode John has an epiphany that all of them have been looking at things from their own perspective. Google AI tells us that "an epiphany is a moment of sudden, profound realization or insight, like a lightbulb turning on, that reveals the true meaning of something important, often from a simple event." In the episode John and Jesus are discussing the Greek tale of Clytemnestra waking the Furies. John connects the story to Jephthah sacrificing his daughter during the time of the judges. The metaphorical lightbulb turns on when John and Jesus are discussing Jephthah's error. John realizes he and the others have been looking at things, interpreting events, from their own perspectives. A crack appears in John's confirmation bias. The thought of "maybe we are all wrong" flashes into his mind. With this mindset, John asks Jesus how he (John) could ever forgive himself.

Jesus' answer to John is one every Christian needs to grasp (This "answer" is in the episode - not the Bible.)  Jesus tells John he does not need to forgive himself because He (Jesus) does. Many of us carry our sin on our backs like a heavy burden long after God has forgiven us and placed our sins in the depths of the sea where there is no light and nothing can be seen. If God can forgive me, I need to follow His example and forgive myself too.

There is a sit down exchange between Judas and Jesus. I doubt such a conversation ever took place but the lesson being taught by the writers of The Chosen are Biblically sound lessons. Judas tells Jesus that He (Jesus) should take his (Judas) advice. Judas goes as far as to tell Jesus the window is closing. Doesn't such a conversation sound ridiculous?  

Let me suggest that probably every person that has ever believed in God has had very simular conversations with Him. It has been said that if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. Too often when we go to God in prayer, we act like Judas in this scene from The Chosen. We tell God what He needs to do and warn him that the window is closing. I have a transgender child. There is not a day that goes by that I don't pray for that child. But I don't tell God what to do. My prayers give God authorization to act in my child's behalf. When God does something good for my child, the devil most certainly tells God He has no right to do that. God points to my prayers as His right to act on behalf of my child. But I don't know what is best for my child. God does. That is what I pray for. I prayed like Judas for many years but as I grew in Christ I saw how blind I was. Like John's epiphany, I realized my sight isn't that good. My track record is pretty bad. I can't. He can. I think I will let Him.