The Chosen + BibleProject | Season 5 Reading PlanSample

The Non-violent Destroyer
What do we consider most glorious in our world? Power? Victory? Maybe beauty or wealth? Our answers will vary, but rarely would suffering and death make the list. Yet when Jesus enters Jerusalem knowing he will be crucified, he says, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 12:23, NIV). What does he mean?
Just before this moment, massive crowds welcome Jesus as a king, cheering his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey on what we traditionally refer to as “Palm Sunday.” Many had already called him a prophet; now they wondered, Is he the Messiah?
The manner in which Jesus makes his way into the Holy City during Passover is a sign act that not so subtly implies that he is the glorious king God promised would rescue and rule over all creation—that he is the Messiah foretold by Zechariah (9:9-10) and the many other prophets of the Old Testament. So, of course people were freaking out and thinking, “Jesus is the One!”
But later, everything turns when Jesus doesn’t match the people’s expectations. They imagined a Messiah who would defeat evil with force, crushing enemies to establish peace. Instead, Jesus brings peace through humility, love, and forgiveness—even for his enemies.
Jesus knows his “hour” has come—not to escape his enemies or fight back, but to face evil and conquer it non-violently. He’s driven by the power of love, healing, patience, and forgiveness. Later, even as Roman soldiers are in the act of killing him, Jesus prays for their forgiveness (Luke 23:34). And through it all he opens up a new path for humanity, a new way for us to live with one another in love.
As the BibleProject video below notes, Jesus breaks the cycle of violence and reframes everything people assume about glory. To him, humility and love are supremely glorious. And his resurrection confirms the power of such a posture: the way of humble love truly defeats Death.
And now? Jesus invites us into that same way—a life of love, humility, and forgiveness.
Because that’s what real glory looks like.

Reflection Questions
What are the most common assumptions about how the world works that are in conflict with the way of Jesus?

The clip from The Chosen and the BibleProject video both capture the moment when Jesus becomes greatly distressed, troubled to his core. From the BibleProject video’s input and your own reading, why is Jesus experiencing anguish at this moment? How can you identify with his anguish? What can you learn from him for navigating your way through such anguish?