This short episode, made before The Chosen series was conceived, is a take on the birth of Jesus Christ through the eyes of some local shepherds: simple working men. But these simple men, particularly a devout young cripple, had a world-shaking visit — which began to change this world forever.
In the backdrop of oppressive Roman rule, a Jewish fisherman, saddled with enormous debt agrees to spy on his fellow Jews in a deal to settle his debt with Roman authorities. A Jewish tax collector, deals with the turmoil and fallout from being considered a traitor by his fellow countrymen. A woman known as "Lilith" suffers from severe emotional, mental and spiritual torment that a Jewish religious leader is powerless to help her overcome.
Simon's deal with the Romans goes from bad to worse and Matthew secretly meets with Roman authorities to discuss spying on Simon. Mary of Magdala (formerly Lilith) is seen in public completely healed and her transformation stuns Nicodemus who was powerless to help her. A restored and reformed Mary nervously hosts a traditional Jewish meal with a surprise and welcome guest.
Jesus befriends and teaches the group of children who discover His camp on the outskirts of Capernaum.
Simon's deal with the Roman's reaches a breaking point and he becomes desperate. Matthew witnesses an event that defies reason and logic that his rational mind can neither explain nor accept. Nicodemus meets with an imprisoned John the Baptist.
Nicodemus interrogates John the Baptizer while Jesus and his students make their way to a wedding celebration in Cana. When the wine runs low, Mary asks her son to intervene on behalf of the bridegroom's family.
Despite trying to keep a low profile, word of Jesus's deeds spread and various people come to him to be healed. Jesus draws a large crowd with his teaching and performs his first public miracle and the resulting chaos endangers him.
Matthew struggles to reconcile the miracles he has witnessed with reality. Nicodemus meets with Jesus under cover of night to talk to him since it is now no longer completely safe for Jesus to be seen in public. Jesus makes a controversial choice for one of his disciples.
Jesus makes plans to leave Capernaum because his actions are considered disruptive and he is now wanted for questioning by Roman authorities. Nicodemus is faced with a decision to follow Jesus and become one of his followers or stay in his current lifestyle of wealth and privilege. Jesus prepares to publicly reveal himself as the Messiah.
Tension builds among the disciples as they wrestle with the increasing fame of Jesus in Samaria. Jesus rebukes Big James and John for their prejudice and, after a near-violent encounter, gives them a new nickname.
A mysterious visitor seeks to meet Jesus, but the disciples are hesitant. Tension builds between Simon and Matthew. As the group heads to a new city, word arrives that Jesus’ fame is growing.
A long, exhausting day turns into night as the disciples help Jesus deal with a large crowd hoping to be healed. Around the campfire, over dinner, the group tried to get to know each other better. But tensions erupt.
As Jesus and the disciples head to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, the Jewish authorities are troubled as they heard of a healing that took place during the Shabbat.
After stirring the water, Jesus is now pursued by Simon the Zealot, Atticus, and Shmuel. John the Baptizer visits the group and tells Jesus his dangerous mission. Meanwhile, back at the camp, Mary Magdalene is devastated by an encounter with a mysterious and dangerous stranger.
Matthew and Simon try to get along as they search for Mary in dark places. The group fears for Mary as they struggle with lack of food and bad news about John the Baptist. Meanwhile, Jesus continues to upset Pharisees across multiple regions.
After learning of Jesus' whereabouts, Quintus sends Gaius to arrest him. The disciples lose control as they argue about how to respond. While seeking information about where Jesus has been taken, Andrew and Philip encounter old friends.
While Jesus and Matthew prepare the content of the big sermon, the disciples spread the word while fighting amongst themselves. A high-ranking Sanhedrin member is shocked by Shmuel’s reports on Jesus. Thousands arrive for the sermon, including familiar faces.
Jesus delivers the most life-altering sermon in history. The result? More followers, more enemies, and disciples ready to follow Jesus anywhere. Simon and Eden reunite, Matthew faces his past, and Andrew visits John the Baptist in prison.
Jesus is a problem for the Romans. With pilgrims from everywhere setting up a tent city at the gates of Capernaum to see Jesus, tensions rise. Jesus officially sends the twelve apostles on an exciting but dangerous mission, causing Little James to ask why he hasn’t been healed.
Jesus returns to his childhood home for the big Jewish new year celebration. His childhood friends and family are all buzzing with what they’ve heard about Jesus…until he tells them the truth of who He is.
Two by two, the disciples carry out Jesus’ mission to heal, cast out demons, and preach his words. But upon returning, they struggle with understanding what happened while Simon and Eden struggle to reconnect.
As tensions mount at home, Simon and Gaius work together to fix the water problem in Capernaum. Meanwhile, Jairus and Veronica are equally desperate to find Jesus as the only hope for their crises.
Andrew and Philip discover their previous mission resulted in devastation that will require a return. Simon Z is finally forced to confront his past, but then two disciples of John the Baptist come to Capernaum with an important question for Jesus.
Andrew and Philip return from their trip with desperate news: they need Jesus' help to solve a huge crisis in the Decapolis. Jesus leads them on a trip to the dangerous region, where they face opposition from all sides. Literally. Meanwhile, John is assigned to bring an angry Simon to Jesus.
Thousands arrive to first argue with, then listen to Jesus as he preaches. Shmuel and Atticus hear what’s happening and journey toward the Decapolis to catch Jesus in the act of a possible revolt. Meanwhile, as the preaching extends to the next day, the disciples realize they have a significant problem: the thousands are hungry, and there’s no food.
An intoxicating dance leads Herod to put an end to John the Baptizer, but no one can stop what — or Who — he’s ushered in.
Jesus founds his church on unholy ground and Simon goes public with Jesus’ true identity, getting a new name in the process. But can the new “Peter” forgive old wrongs?
When Jesus heals a blind man on the Sabbath, religious leaders confront him, drawing a riotous crowd. Gaius defies a direct order leading Quintus to take matters — and someone’s life — into his own hands.
Beginning with a funeral procession, time marches rapidly toward the final days of Jesus’ ministry. While the disciples seek status for themselves, a Roman ruler comes with a humble request.
Roman soldiers demand the disciples carry their armor, but Jesus goes one step farther. Frustrated by the direction of Jesus’ ministry, Judas visits an old friend for advice.
Jesus and the disciples celebrate Hanukkah. Matthew confronts Judas about irregularities, and the festival turns into a fight, then flight. The disciples escape with their lives, but learn a friend hasn’t been so lucky.
Jesus brings Lazarus back to life — and sets off the chain of events that will lead to His own death.
Jesus refuses to look and act like the Messiah everyone expects — arriving like a lamb instead of a lion and riding a donkey instead of a war horse.
