How “The Chosen: Last Supper Part 1” emotionally touches the hearts of believers

BY ANNABETH JOHNSON

Multimedia Journalist

There are so many new movie releases happening all the time, and among these, “The Chosen: Last Supper Part 1” was at the top of my list. 

I had to take an evening to view this movie because I knew it would help me better understand and see a historical portrayal of the final days of Jesus’ life before his crucifixion and then resurrection.

Directed by Dallas Jenkins, “The Chosen” series retells the historical events of the Bible, more specifically, Jesus’ ministry.

This series is based on the living Biblical story of Jesus, played by Jonathan Roumie, during the week before his crucifixion in Jerusalem, where he flips the market tables in the temple. 

Overall, this is a very emotionally touching film to Christian believers by portraying Jesus’ fear but glad acceptance of his death in the few days to come. 

One of my favorite elements of this movie is the great costume design, evident in Jesus’ wardrobe choice of a loose-fitting white linen robe with a red scarf that hangs around his shoulders and neck. Jesus’ white robe symbolizes innocence and purity, as well as Jesus’ broken bones, while the red scarf is a symbol of the blood he shed on the cross. 

This makes him stand out from the rest of the cast, who wear darker colored clothing with the purpose of keeping the audience’s eyes on Jesus first when each scene opens. 

Another one of my favorite parts of this movie is how much scripture from the Bible is almost fully repeated in the film. 

The words from John 16:25-33 are referenced during Jesus’ speech to his disciples at the Last Supper. 

My favorite scene of this movie is during the Lord’s Supper when Jesus is eating surrounded by his 12 disciples, who were chosen by Jesus to serve and follow him all over during his ministry on Earth. 

This scene is very emotional and heartfelt, as conveyed by all the actors, specifically Simon Peter’s character, who is played by Shahar Isaac.

In Matthew 26:31-35 in the Bible, Jesus tells Peter that he will deny him three times after Jesus is captured and those who were with Jesus are being searched for. 

Simon Peter, the spiritual warrior of the disciples, reassures Jesus that he would die for him if the day ever came, and all the disciples then agreed and became determined to express their devotion to Jesus, becoming louder in their vows of loyalty. 

Jesus then explained that they would all betray him when the time came that he would be taken away from them, and the disciples then became upset at the idea that Jesus would be leaving them.

As a believer, the thought of Jesus not being present or near to me is the worst sorrow I have experienced, and I have not yet physically been face-to-face with him.

The disciples had traveled with Jesus for years all over, and they loved Jesus wholeheartedly, and he loved them more, but then he tells them they will be alone without him.

As Jesus explains this, all of the disciples ’ eyes fill with tears that swell over and roll down their cheeks, realizing they will be without their Master. 

All of the actors are very good at showing their emotions, especially sadness. The crying is so realistic, along with the beautiful, soft piano strings that gently play in the background, which really helps to touch the hearts of the audience, including mine, as I cried witnessing this scene.

Along with the acting, the scene is also shot beautifully, from the dim lighting of the candlelit room to the sharp camera angles. 

When Jesus and His disciples travel into the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the movie introduces multiple events that include symbolism leading up to Jesus’ death.

One example of symbolism that I noticed was when Jesus is riding on his donkey into town, following a Roman soldier on his horse as if he were leading him to his death.

The second example of symbolism during this scene is when Jesus looks at the Jerusalem walls, and blood begins to spill from the cracks. The blood on the walls symbolizes not only Jesus’ death but also the fall of the city of Jerusalem. 

Another great emotional element of this scene is when Jesus begins to cry to show his fear of his death that will come in a few days. 

In the book of John, chapter 10, verse 30, found in the Bible, Jesus says that “I and the Father are one.”

Jesus was fully God and fully man, so he has the full authority to stop his death, but he chose to die for humanity that is evil by nature to bear the sins of the world that we may be in God’s presence, as God is a holy being that cannot be in the presence of evil or sin. 

Jesus knew his death was approaching, and as he was human, he understood the suffering that he would endure, but out of his love for us, he still chose to suffer and die for us. 

This scene caused the second time I cried while watching this movie, as I often forget Jesus experienced raw, human emotion, including deep sorrow and extreme terror, which I believe he felt upon riding into the city of his coming crucifixion.

It reminds me how undeserving I am of a God so gracious and loving that Jesus would suffer so for me, but not only me, but for every and any living soul.

Upon his arrival in the city, children walk next to Jesus and exchange smiles with him and each other as children do when their parents return from work or come home after a long day. 

The inclusion and joyful exchange between Jesus and these children in this scene emphasize Jesus’ kind nature. 

While Jesus is preaching in the city after they had entered and unpacked their luggage, the camera shot of all the people surrounding Jesus is a very powerful depiction of his authority as thunder cracks from above, but in the sound of a voice such as that of an angel agreeing with its Lord’s words. 

In the gospel sharing scene, a full circle is formed around Jesus as he preaches to the people, which I found as a full circle moment, as these people who were interested in Jesus’ words, would later use them against him during his trial and death.

The final and main part of this movie is the market scene where Jesus flips the tables. 

Jesus sees how the vendors are using the Holy Temple as a place to make money by their actions of selling sheep for sacrifice, which angers him as they disregard the reverence of the Holy Temple that they are standing in. 

Jesus' death is also symbolized within this scene by the sacrificial lambs, as Jesus is often referred to in Christianity, and the tilting weigh scale of money, as he paid the price for all of humanity’s sins.

The scene of Jesus flipping the table in his extreme anger shows the wrath of God from the loving and calm Jesus that most know him as. 

As a strong believer, this was a huge scene to witness as I often forget that God is a God of love, forgiveness, and grace, but that he still does not tolerate disobedience or disrespect which the vendors showed by setting up shops in his earthly house or temple. 

As a non-believer, this can be new to see the sweet, caring Jesus in a fit of rage, as many introduce Jesus as gentle and loving but neglect to include his anger at evil.

The final element of this film that stands out is when Jesus stares at the Pharisees after destroying the market which is the final act they need to devise a plan to capture and try Jesus for his “blasphemy” against God, as they did not yet realize that that’s exactly who he was. 

Jesus’ angry stare and the Pharisees' determined eyes set up the events that follow in Part 2 of the Chosen Last Supper Series. 

Overall, this is a great movie that I suggest all watch, whether you believe or not. 

As a believer, this is a great film to bring you closer to the Lord and help you grow in your faith by watching Jesus enter the city that leads to the excruciating death of the man who changed everything. 

As a non-believer, this is also a great movie if you want to learn more about Jesus, and can even be in a room with those who do know Jesus and would answer those questions you may have. 

“The Chosen: Last Supper Part 1” had a production budget of approximately $150 million.

The film has grossed over $18 million at the box office, thus making it the highest-grossing installment of the entire series. 

The movie had positive overall reviews as it was acknowledged for visually portraying Jesus’ life and how much it spiritually touched the hearts of believers who watched. 

I will definitely be revisiting the theaters soon to watch the next parts of the “Lord’s Supper Series,” which will be showing in theaters during the full month of April.

Part 2 will be released April 2, with Part 3 coming to theatres on April 11.