In an era when faith-based media often struggle to find both critical acclaim and widespread impact, The Chosen has shattered as many expectations as old patterns. More than just a television series, it has become a cultural and spiritual movement, introducing millions to the story of Jesus while deepening the faith of countless believers worldwide. Through the journeys of individuals like Brandon Snipe, creator of The Chosen Sleuth YouTube channel, and Brandon Robbins, a pastor-turned-digital disciple, the show’s transformative power is undeniable. As the premier of Season 5, The Chosen: Last Supper, approaches, these two men exemplify how The Chosen is not just entertainment—it is a gateway to transformed faith, biblical study and a renewed sense of discipleship.
From Skeptic to Superfan: How The Chosen Captivates Audiences
Both Snipe and Robbins began their journey with The Chosen from a place of initial hesitation. Snipe, having been disappointed by previous Christian media productions, assumed this series would be no different, “Every Christian show we ever watch, it’s just boring. And so, my wife, though, is a big fan of Christian media, and that night, she’s like, ‘Let’s watch it.’ We get through the first couple episodes, I’m like, maybe there’s something here.” Robbins, a pastor struggling to connect his ministry with a broader audience, was glad to see The Chosen as beyond just another attempt at dramatizing the gospel, “One of the things that I think The Chosen has done for me and for so many other people is allow the Gospel to come to life in a way that enables us to see it a bit differently, and I would say a bit more faithfully than we have in the past.”
Everything flipped when they gave it a chance. Snipe was captivated by Episode 3 of Season 1, which shattered his preconceptions about faith-based storytelling. Robbins, in turn, found himself drawn in by the show’s historical and cultural authenticity, which resonated deeply with his passion for biblical teaching. Their journeys highlight a key aspect of The Chosen’s success—it transcends expectations and offers something profoundly real.
The Birth of The Chosen Sleuth and a Digital Ministry
Snipe’s newfound passion for The Chosen led him to create content analyzing the series. His first video, Big James Is Dead, unexpectedly went viral, revealing a hunger for in-depth analysis, Easter eggs and Scriptural insights related to the show. Meanwhile, Robbins found that his deep dives into The Chosen’s biblical and historical context struck a chord with viewers, transforming his struggling YouTube channel into a thriving digital ministry.
Their experiences reflect a larger trend: The Chosen is not merely a show, it is a spark for conversation, study and discipleship. The Chosen is now a cultural force changing lives for the better. The series has spurred a wave of digital evangelism, with creators, pastors and everyday believers using it as a launching pad for deeper discussions about Jesus.
A New Understanding of Discipleship: The Call of Jesus
One of the most profound ways The Chosen reshapes viewers’ faith is through its portrayal of discipleship. Both Snipe and Robbins were struck by the way the show depicts Jesus calling His followers. Peter, a brash fisherman, and Matthew, a despised tax collector, are chosen not because of their worthiness but because of Jesus’ grace. This portrayal challenged both men’s understanding of what it means to follow Christ.
Robbins, who had always viewed discipleship as a set of religious practices, realized that The Chosen was revealing something deeper—discipleship is about radical surrender. It’s about leaving everything behind to walk with Jesus, just as His first-century followers did. For Snipe, this understanding deepened his own commitment to ministry, leading him to use his platform to bring biblical insights to a growing audience.
Seeing the Bible Through First-Century Eyes
One of The Chosen’s greatest strengths is its immersive experience for audiences into the Jewish culture of Jesus’ time. Robbins, whose studies were influenced by books like Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, found that the show brought these historical lessons to life in a way that traditional Bible study alone did not.
For example, the phrase “Come, follow me” takes on new significance when understood in its historical context. In first-century Judaism, discipleship meant total commitment—it was not just about learning from a rabbi but literally living within his footsteps. Through The Chosen, viewers see how revolutionary Jesus’ invitation truly was. Robbins emphasizes that this insight has deepened his appreciation of Scripture and has encouraged others to approach the Bible with fresh eyes.
Community Over Individualism: Rediscovering Biblical Faith
Another striking theme in The Chosen is its emphasis on communal faith. In Western Christianity, faith is often seen as an individual pursuit, but The Chosen reintroduces the biblical reality of faith as a shared experience.
The healing of the paralytic is a prime example. Jesus doesn’t credit the man’s faith but the faith of his friends who lowered him through the roof. This scene, Robbins notes, reflects the collectivist nature of first-century Jewish society, where righteousness and faith were communal responsibilities. Both Robbins and Snipe have been inspired by this message, encouraging their audiences to see faith as something that binds believers together rather than isolates them.
The Emotional and Spiritual Weight of The Chosen’s Future Seasons
As The Chosen gears up for Season 5, both men anticipate one of the most emotionally and theologically complex seasons yet. With the depiction of the Last Supper, Jesus’ confrontation in the temple and Judas’ impending betrayal, the stakes are higher than ever.
Snipe, in particular, emphasizes that the show’s handling of Judas’ betrayal will be crucial. If done well, it will reinforce the weight of Jesus’ sacrifice and the gravity of human free will. Robbins, meanwhile, sees the upcoming season as an opportunity for viewers to spiritually prepare for the intensity of Jesus’ final days. The ending of Season 5—leading into an even darker Season 6—will likely test the faith of viewers in profound ways.
Personal Encounters with God: Miracles and Wilderness Moments
Beyond its storytelling, The Chosen resonates with viewers’ personal faith journeys. Robbins recounts a transformative moment in his own life—hiking in the Negev desert, struggling with severe knee pain and experiencing a sudden, miraculous healing, “I was like, I don’t know how I’m gonna walk. Like, Lord, I just need a miracle. And as I was hiking, I just had this moment where I’m just asking ‘God, what do I do? What do I do?’ And God says, ‘Just take it off. Take off the brace.’ And from that moment forward, I did not have one ounce of pain for the rest of the trip. And for me, it was this powerful moment of realizing, God is in this wilderness and healing happens in this wilderness.”
This moment mirrored the biblical theme of God meeting His people in the wilderness. Just as the disciples encounter Jesus in their darkest moments, The Chosen invites viewers to recognize God’s presence in their own struggles.
Snipe, too, has seen how the show inspires real-life encounters with God, “I really hope that this [Season 5: The Chosen: Last Supper] brings people to a place where they can dive deep into what God has for them in their lives, and that they can learn to trust Him and learn to seek out truth, that’s what I really hope, for sure.”
Countless viewers have shared testimonies of renewed faith, deeper prayer lives, a freshly invigorated hunger to know Jesus more and even miraculous experiences sparked by watching The Chosen. It is more than entertainment—it is an invitation to meet Jesus anew.
How Has The Chosen Changed You?
For Snipe, Robbins and millions of viewers worldwide, The Chosen is more than a television series—it is a catalyst for transformation. It has reignited biblical study, reshaped understandings of discipleship and blossomed into a global faith community.
As the show continues to unfold, its impact is undeniable. It calls viewers to seek Jesus not just as a historical figure but as a living presence who transforms lives.
The question remains: How has The Chosen changed you?
And how will you respond?
