The Bible Miniseries Review: Part 4

I tried not to get my hopes up for the March 24^th episode of The Bible miniseries. I was worried that the producers would highlight drama and leave the message of Jesus unspoken. I worried that they would downplay the divinity of Christ to underscore a ministry of mercy. I was wrong. The episode did not disappoint. The series proclaimed loudly that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, sent from heaven to be our Savior from sin.

In the opening scenes we saw Jesus’ ministry summarized by miracles of healing and promises of forgiveness. They rightly showed the miracles for what they were, signs proving the divinity of Christ. They also illustrated what kind of a Savior we have.

To see the foul and decaying face of a leper, and then see Jesus’ touch in love and healing a man whom no one else would touch…it told of the bottomless mercy of Christ. To see him defend the woman caught in adultery, but then place his hands on her and say, “Go and sin no more,” pictured how Christ loves sinners, but calls them away from sin. To see his interaction with Judas, his hand on his head at the moment of his betrayal…to see him lovingly restore the ear of Malchus before being hooded—it taught me again the long-suffering nature of our God.

The raising of Lazarus struck me. No, they didn’t follow the chronology of the Bible, and they dramatized some of the action. But they portrayed the essence of the account: death in all its ugliness came face to face with the Lord of life and fled away in defeat. When Jesus’ eyes popped open and the dead man’s eyes snapped open, too, I jumped. When Lazarus sucked in resurrection air, the point of the miracle lay in bold relief. Death is reversible. How refreshing to see such a scene and hear the words of Jesus, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies.”

Many of Jesus’ well-known sayings were spoken during the episode—most were really out of context. But I appreciated that the writers put scriptural words in Jesus’ mouth in the dramatized sections. For example, when Peter tried to defend Jesus in the aftermath of the Nazareth synagogue, Jesus said, “Peter, turn the other cheek!” The calling of the disciple Matthew from the tax collector’s booth by using the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector isn’t accurate chronologically. The effect of the parable on Matthew and the tax collector in the series did, however, show the power of law and gospel that worked on the hearts of those who heard Jesus.

Nicodemus

The producers inflated the role of Nicodemus beyond what we hear in the Bible, but by doing so they made me reflect on how conflicted the man must have been. As a member of the ruling council, yet secretly an admirer of Jesus, Nicodemus must have had many conversations like the ones the series depicted. The most important conversation came right out of the Bible: God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him might not perish, but have everlasting life. When was the last time you heard John 3:16 in prime time?

Mary Magdalene

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The Last Supper

Unsurprisingly, the depiction focused on the last supper, rather than the sacrament. No, Judas wasn’t there during the institution of the Lord’s Supper. And yes, Jesus said that this was more than a remembrance meal: This is my blood…which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. They left out that rather important italicized section. It seems to me that the denominational bias of the series’ creators shows through here.

Judas

I thought they went a little light on Judas, as if they were trying to rehabilitate our perception of him. The Judas of the miniseries seemed conflicted, wanting to help Jesus, not wanting to betray him. The Judas of the miniseries looked like he was pushed into the betrayal by Jesus. Scripture, of course, says simply that was a thief, a devil, controlled by Satan. Yet his ultimate suicide came because he was filled with remorse over betraying innocent blood.

The trial

The episode concluded on a powerful note. Questioned by the high priest, “Are you the Son of God?” Jesus replied, “Yes. And you will see me coming on the clouds of heaven.” Those words gave witness to the Sanhedrin and every viewer of this miniseries that Jesus Christ is God at whose name every knee will one day bow.

I am looking forward to the series finale on Easter Sunday. I hope that it provides a clear witness that Jesus died for our sins and was raised for our justification. I also pray that this series leads you back into the scriptures. You can do that by using our reading guide.

What did you think of The Bible Miniseries: Part Four? Join the The Bible–Bread for Beggars Discussion Group to share your thoughts and questions.

For a printable version of this review click here. Download this week’s reading guide: Reading Guide Week 4–March 24 and be sure to check out more The Bible Miniseries: Resources.