The Chosen and Friends: God With UsSample

Power Over Powers
From Come and See

The creators of The Chosen don’t shy away from showing terrifying moments of evil at work, and that's because the Scriptures certainly don’t. In the opening pages of the Bible we have a serpent crafting chaos (Genesis 3), and in its final pages we find that the serpent has grown into a dragon to do more of the same (Revelation 12). From beginning to end we’re emphatically told that there are darker powers at work in our world. And to go one troubling step further, these powers have the power to overpower us.

Luke offers no answers to questions concerning the specifics of this man’s possession. We’re only told that he’s been overpowered by the powers—so overpowered that evil has become this poor man’s puppet master. And when that puppet master pulls at the strings? Everyone in the vicinity can expect the kind of violence that leaves a mark. The kind of violence that is downright terrifying.

When you think about it, it all leads to a second overpowering. Those who witness the horrifying depth of possession end up possessed as well—possessed by fear.

In the end, we’re all haunted by the same deeply unsettling question: “Can anyone put the powers in their place? Maybe even bring them to an end, once for all?”

Back to the scene in Scripture and from the show.

As the disciples, possessed by fear, can only tremble before the man possessed by the powers, Jesus comes into view—God arrives—and with merely a short wave of his hand and a terse word (“Out of him!”), the demons abandon their post. Luke tells us they’re suddenly so subservient to Jesus that they have to ask permission to go somewhere else. And just like that, a truth has been settled for us about the Son, and about the Father, too: there are darker powers at work in our world, but their power pales in comparison to God’s. And here’s a truth impressed upon us not only through this one story, but the entirety of Scripture: a time is coming when God will step into view and strip the earth of the powers once for all.

About The Author
Come and See is a faith-based nonprofit that exists to share the authentic Jesus with at least one billion people worldwide. Because of the generosity of supporters around the world, Come and See is able to ensure that all seven seasons of “The Chosen” are produced, translated into 600 languages, made globally accessible, and free to all. Learn more at comeandsee.net.