Emad

What a privilege to join the millions of voices around the world. Let me start by saying that I am not a Christian. I left the church when I was just 14 years old, and now I'm 78. My journey has been long and incredible, so I'll try to keep it brief. For 40 years, I searched for something spiritual. I devoured countless books by amazing teachers, and I had moments of awe and wonder. I studied and practiced, but it was nature that truly spoke to me—the beauty and tranquility of God's creation. However, I still couldn't find a love that felt genuine to me. Something was missing. Then, a couple of years ago, by some undeserved grace, a friend recommended that I watch The Chosen. It was a revelation. The show's messages were more valuable than any diamonds or rubies. It was a feast of love that changed my life. I bought the DVDs for seasons 1, 2, and 3, and every night, I can hardly bring myself to watch anything else. I'm eagerly awaiting season 4. The entire cast is exceptional. Since I have no family, The Chosen family sits with me at the dinner table. Jonathan's portrayal of Jesus is masterful. I feel his love and faith. If I had known this Jesus when I was younger, I doubt I would have ever left the church. Matthew's character resonates with so many of us who have been hurt by not fitting in. I relate to Little James because I also have a broken hip, and I understand the deeper meaning behind why he wasn't healed. As for loving the "bad guys," I can't explain it, but Quintus with his infectious laugh, Atticus with his quiet strength, and Gaius caring for Matthew and befriending Simon—each one is so special. And how could I forget the Zealot? The writers are truly brilliant. They bring Scripture to life in the most incredible way. Their words feel divinely inspired. When I picked up the Bible for the first time after watching The Chosen, it was like the scriptures came alive before my eyes. For 40 years, I wandered spiritually without even realizing I was lost, just like Matthew. But now, Jesus has found me, this old lady. I am overflowing with His love, and I know He is always by my side. When it's my time to go, I trust that He will guide me into the eternal love that He embodies. I must give a special mention to Dallas and his unwavering commitment to answering God's call. I am deeply grateful that he faced his own challenges to bring the love of Christ to the world. I've attached a picture of the Chosen gifts that adorn my altar and greet me every morning during my prayerful writing. They serve as a reminder of the incredible life that has unfolded for me in these later years—all because of my relationship with Jesus. "He won't let me go." I'm currently writing a book about how I encountered Jesus, my master. It's titled A Lantern in the Darkness. This is my legacy. I now have no doubt in His love, and I want to share this with others. We are the lanterns that illuminate the world, and as long as we keep our flames burning bright, darkness cannot prevail.

At 68 years old, I've always considered myself a good person, but I never really followed my Catholic faith. When I got engaged to a Jewish man, he insisted that I convert if we were to get married. Tearfully, I agreed and raised our four children in the Jewish faith, feeling like I had betrayed God and turned my back on Jesus. Eventually, the marriage ended and I returned to my faith, but I hadn't been to confession in years. I tried to be better, but my relationship with Jesus felt distant. The movies I had seen about him portrayed him as constantly reverent, which didn't feel realistic. One day, while I was home sick, I decided to watch some TV. The Chosen caught my eye, so I started binge-watching the episodes. The moment I saw Peter drop to his knees, crying out to Jesus, "Depart from me. You don't know what I've done," it hit me like a ton of bricks. It was as if my entire life flashed before my eyes, and I saw every hurt I had caused others through my thoughts, words, and actions. It was a wake-up call like no other. I couldn't get enough of the episodes and I've watched them countless times, always finding a new message each time. I couldn't stop talking about the series either. I started sharing DVD sets of seasons 1, 2, and 3 with places I thought could benefit from them, like our local prison, the veteran's home, a home for victims of domestic abuse, the Methodist outreach center, and even our local library. One of the best moments was when two young men from the Latter Day Saints came to my door to share their beliefs, but I ended up talking about The Chosen instead. They left with the DVDs, and they seemed really excited about it! Now, I'm on my church's Parish Council, and we've started showing an episode of The Chosen once a week, followed by a discussion. I've also made it a habit to set aside time in the morning and at bedtime to talk to God and thank Him for everything He has done for me. I was truly a lost sheep, but I am so grateful for The Chosen. Jonathan Roumie's portrayal of Jesus opened my heart and soul, allowing me to move forward in my faith with hope and love.