In this Easter season, NBC television brings us the series A.D. The Bible Continues by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, who developed this series following their seriesThe Bible on the History Channel. The current show is on Channel 5 at 8 p.m. on Sundays. You can see the page here for previous episodes.
This new NBC series brings us to the post-resurrection life of Jesus and his followers and to the birth of the church. We get a glimpse of Christianity, which we usually don't see from Hollywood, where a great deal of attention is given to the life of Christ prior to the resurrection and what all leads up to the crucifixion.
What was remarkable for me in watching these episodes now is capturing the reaction of the disciples once they see the resurrected Lord as well as the reaction of the High Priest, Caiaphas, and Pilate. I tried to put myself in the place of those disciples and wonder what it would have been like to have first laid my eyes on the resurrected Lord -shocking, uplifting, too-good-to-be-true - perhaps too emotional to even put in words!
On the other hand, those in authority were unnerved by what had taken place. They were forced to deal with the fact that the tomb was empty! This situation went beyond mere grave robbery. There was the feeling that a powerful force was at work.
A whole new movement was begun with the resurrection. We see in the episode on April 26 that Peter is released from prison, after being imprisoned when he heals a man lame from birth. Even the truth could not be foiled - as the healed man was paid off to tell a lie and be deceptive. Yet, he told the truth and Peter is released!
Yes, Jesus' resurrection would bring convulsions within the Empire. The resurrection was God's doing that would lead to the Spirit's coming and the continuation of Jesus' ministry.
Here are some questions to consider as you watch or have watched these episodes. Feel free to post your reaction to the series in the comments section.
1. What caught your attention in how Pilate and the disciples are portrayed?
2. What do you make of Peter's witness and power after the resurrection?
3. From this series, what would it be like being a post-resurrection disciple?
4. Do you see value in television doing a series like this?
Pastor Marty
This new NBC series brings us to the post-resurrection life of Jesus and his followers and to the birth of the church. We get a glimpse of Christianity, which we usually don't see from Hollywood, where a great deal of attention is given to the life of Christ prior to the resurrection and what all leads up to the crucifixion.
What was remarkable for me in watching these episodes now is capturing the reaction of the disciples once they see the resurrected Lord as well as the reaction of the High Priest, Caiaphas, and Pilate. I tried to put myself in the place of those disciples and wonder what it would have been like to have first laid my eyes on the resurrected Lord -shocking, uplifting, too-good-to-be-true - perhaps too emotional to even put in words!
On the other hand, those in authority were unnerved by what had taken place. They were forced to deal with the fact that the tomb was empty! This situation went beyond mere grave robbery. There was the feeling that a powerful force was at work.
A whole new movement was begun with the resurrection. We see in the episode on April 26 that Peter is released from prison, after being imprisoned when he heals a man lame from birth. Even the truth could not be foiled - as the healed man was paid off to tell a lie and be deceptive. Yet, he told the truth and Peter is released!
Yes, Jesus' resurrection would bring convulsions within the Empire. The resurrection was God's doing that would lead to the Spirit's coming and the continuation of Jesus' ministry.
Here are some questions to consider as you watch or have watched these episodes. Feel free to post your reaction to the series in the comments section.
1. What caught your attention in how Pilate and the disciples are portrayed?
2. What do you make of Peter's witness and power after the resurrection?
3. From this series, what would it be like being a post-resurrection disciple?
4. Do you see value in television doing a series like this?
Pastor Marty
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