Joni Eareckson Tada Reacts to Season 3 of THE CHOSEN: ‘I Was In Tears’
By Movieguide® Staff
Evangelical Christian author, radio host, artist, and founder of Joni and Friends, Joni Eareckson Tada, recently weighed in on the most recent episode of THE CHOSEN Season 3.
Since the age of 17, Joni has lived as a quadriplegic, after diving into a pool. Despite the pain and hardship she faces everyday, Joni relies on Christ and his word, and encourages and aids others with disabilities through the Joni and Friends organization.
Joni, 73, recently took to Facebook to share her reaction to a poignant scene in a recent episode of THE CHOSEN.
“I was in tears when I watched this clip from Season 3 of The Chosen,” she wrote on Facebook.
In the scene, Jesus’ apostle Little James asks Jesus if he can heal his disability.
Jesus responds: “In the father’s will I could heal you, right now, and you would have a good story to tell, yes? But there are already dozens who can tell that story. There will be hundreds more, even thousands. But think of the story you have, especially in the journey to come, if I don’t heal you. To know how to proclaim that you still praise God in spite of this, to know how to focus on all that matters, so much more than the body. To show people that you can be patient with your suffering, here on earth because you know you will spend eternity with G no suffering. Not everyone can understand that. How many people do you think the father and I trust this with? Not many.”
Joni adds: “Like most people who live with pain, I have asked many times for Jesus to alleviate it or remove it completely. But Jesus has other plans for my pain (the same plans he shares in this imagined scene with his disciple who asks for healing). The point of the episode? Jesus doesn’t always heal.”
Joni said that the scene shows that Jesus regards our souls as more important that anything physical.
“It’s not that the Lord isn’t concerned about my physical comfort; it’s just that my physical problems are not always his focus. Jesus is more concerned about the condition of my soul. He wants me to feel the sharpness of my weakness, so that I might find strength in him,” she wrote. “Psalm 84:11 promises me that ‘no good thing will [God] withhold from those whose walk is blameless;’ but the ‘good thing’ may not always be physical healing. Instead, he’ll not withhold courage and endurance. God will not withhold patience and perseverance. He won’t withhold peace and hope, making my soul brave and roomy for him. When my needs are great? His grace will be greater. That’s his plan. And I think it’s a good one.”
“So, why then did I cry over this scene between Jesus and his disciple? I wept because I identified with it. My tears overflowed at Jesus’s last words: ‘So hang on a little longer… You will be healed. It’s just a matter of time.’ Yes, pain and disability are hard. Very hard. But what I am learning in and through it is priceless… so, I’m happy to hang on. Healing is just over the horizon,” she concluded the post.
Movieguide®’s review of the first two episodes of THE CHOSEN Season 3 read:
THE CHOSEN SEASON 3 is a theatrical release of the first two episodes of Season 3 of the crowd-funded show about the life of Jesus Christ. The first episode, “Homecoming,” begins with Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. The sermon brings more followers to the truth but also reveals more enemies of Jesus and his disciples. After Jesus finishes, the disciples travel home and reunite with family while Andrew visits John the Baptist in Prison. The theatrical experience flows straight into episode two, “Two by Two.” In this episode, the disciples are anticipating how Jesus will proceed with His ministry as the Romans and the Pharisees grow more suspicious.
THE CHOSEN SEASON 3 combines the first two episodes of the season in an uplifting, Christ-centered way. The episodes champion the Bible, Jesus and the truth of His teaching to all people. The camerawork and acting are high quality. However, the nature of having two episodes instead of a normal movie results in some pacing issues with the theatrical experience. That said, THE CHOSEN is an inspiring, faith-filled, biblical movie safe for the whole family.
Movieguide® previously reported on the Joni and Friends ministry:
The war in Ukraine has left countless people stranded and desperate for help with evacuation, and people with disabilities are among the most vulnerable.
Faith-based ministry Joni and Friends is stepping in to bridge the gap for many of the 2.7 million persons living with disabilities in Ukraine who might have otherwise been left behind. Founded by Christian author, speaker, and radio host Joni Eareckson-Tada, Joni and Friends has helped 250 people reach Poland since the start of the war and plans to escort more to safe locations around the globe as conditions allow.
According to CBN News, Joni and Friends is planning to rescue an additional 50 people with disabilities and their caregivers in Eastern Ukraine on Friday, March 25, organized by Galyna, their In-Country Coordinator in Ukraine.
Eareckson Tada became an advocate for people with disabilities after she fractured her neck as a teenager after she dove into the Chesapeake Bay, leaving her paralyzed from the neck down. Movieguide® previously shared Eareckson-Tada’s thoughts on the 45th anniversary of her memoir “Joni” and the work she has been able to do through the book:
“I’m still overwhelmed when I think of the incredible numbers of people with disabilities, specifically, who have been strengthened by the insights I shared in that book,” she shared. “Then I think of how God has used that story to save many lives, I’m absolutely overwhelmed.”
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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