THE CHOSEN: Episode 3.3: “Physician, Heal Yourself”

“Physician, Heal Yourself,” Episode Three of THE CHOSEN, Season Three, is loosely based on Luke 4:16-30. It follows Jesus Christ’s return home to Nazareth for Rosh Hashanah and the people’s response to his sermon in the town’s synagogue. Streaming on VidAngel, “Physician, Heal Yourself” is a heartwarming, reflective mid-season episode of THE CHOSEN, that, in the wake of the jam-packed, two-part season premier, allows viewers a breather by following Jesus’ return to Nazareth and His time with family and friends, before Jesus gives a controversial sermon in the town synagogue.

The episode opens with a short flashback of Jesus as a toddler playing with his mother. After the credits, adult Jesus is seen entering Nazareth and returning to His home on the eve of Rosh Hashanah. Exhausted from his journey, Jesus shares a meal with Mary, and the two discuss His ministry and His followers. Before going to bed, Jesus asks His mother for a box that Mary, who understands that this as a sign that Jesus’ time is coming, reluctantly reveals its location. After retiring for the evening Jesus is seen opening the box, which contains a donkey’s bridle.

The next day, Jesus and Mary are seen celebrating Rosh Hashanah with the people of Nazareth. Jesus bumps into the couple at whose wedding he turned water into wine before being greeted by Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. The news of His teachings, miracles and claims have spread, and many people are curious about whether they’re true, although only Mary, who is silenced, dares to broach the controversial subjected. During the festival, Lazarus convinces the local leader, Rabbi Benjamin, to allow Jesus to give the reading and interpretation at the Rosh Hashanah service, to which Jesus agrees.

Later that evening, after Rabbi Benjamin’s opening blessing, Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 before announcing that the year of jubilee has arrived. He goes on to explain that he has come to release everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, from spiritual debt. After the people become increasingly angered by Jesus’ teachings, Rabbi Benjamin asks Jesus if He’s claiming to be a prophet or claiming to be the Messiah. Jesus responds “yes” and later states that he “is the Law of Moses.”

In response, the men of the town seize Jesus, taking Him out of the city and to a cliff to execute him for false prophesy. However, before they can throw Him over the cliff, Jesus looks at the crowd and states that it is not His time to die, before walking away through the parted crowd. Jesus is later seen at the grave of his father where childhood flashbacks reveal the significance of the donkey bridle. When Mary and Lazarus arrive with his meager belongings, Jesus explains that “after today there is no turning back.” This will be His last visit to Nazareth.

“Physician, Heal Yourself” is a heartwarming, reflective episode that allows viewers a chance to relax after the exciting two-part season opener. It focuses a great deal on Jesus and His childhood relationship with His father, as well as His adult relationships with his mother, Lazarus and the people of His community. The episode depicts Jesus as a compassionate, confident teacher even in the face of rejection by those closest to Him, the people He grew up among as a boy and younger man. The episode’s ending foreshadows that Jesus’ death is very soon, and that those who love Him will only have a short while longer to commune with Him on earth. The performances throughout are excellent, with Darren Valinotti, who plays the young Jesus, giving a particularly outstanding performance.