The Chosen: I Have Called You By Name by Jerry B. Jenkins

The Chosen: I Have Called You By Name by Jerry B. Jenkins
Series: Book One in The Chosen Series
Publisher: Broadstreet Publishing Group, LLC on October 4, 2022

REVIEW BY MAE CLAIR

If you are unfamiliar with The Chosen, you’re missing out on a phenomena that is sweeping the globe. A crowd-funded series based on the gospels, The Chosen currently has three televised seasons available for free viewing (out of a planned seven). To learn more, visit The Chosen website HERE.

This novel is a companion to the first season of the series. I picked up the book after being swept away by the televised version, and love that this follows the series so faithfully—scene-by-scene, dialogue-for-dialogue. At the same time, it provides glimpses into quieter moments and character thoughts that may not have been so prominent in the series.

Against the Roman occupation of Israel, and the political machinations of the Pharisees, Jesus begins his ministry. As the story grows, we see him interacting with children, calling his first followers, and performing his first miracles. What truly stands out for me and marks this book (and the series) as extraordinary is the humanity of Jesus. We see the Lord using wood-on-wood kindling to start a fire, dressing an arm wound, laughing with children, drinking and dancing at the wedding in Cana. This is a Jesus who is wholly human while wholly God.

Because this is an ongoing series, nothing is rushed. In this, the first book, those who are called to follow Jesus include Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew, James and John, Thomas, and Matthew, the tax collector. Matthew’s story is particularly strong. As a tax collector, he is hated by his own people, even ostracized by the other disciples, but Jesus sees into his heart.

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Just before Jesus slips out of sight, he stops and turns to face Matthew. The teacher seems to look at him with such compassion, Matthew cannot move. And Jesus leaves with the hint of a smile.

Jerry B. Jenkins, The Chosen Book 1, I Have Called You by Name

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With short chapters, polished writing, and a thoroughly compelling presentation of the gospels, this is a candid look at Jesus as you’ve never seen him. I eagerly anticipate reading all the books in this series of novels, just as I do following the televised chapters.

I give The Chosen: I Have Called You by Name five fabulous fish

I purchased the Kindle version of The Chosen: I Have Called You by Name