The Bible: Jesus' Ministry

Good timing, History Channel. The Bible will conclude on Easter. Bravo. 

This week's episode was focused on Jesus' ministry, moreso on his miracles but his teachings were included. The main focus in this episode--besides continuing the Rome was the evilest evil who ever eviled theme from the last episode--was the growing tensions between Jesus and the Pharisees. And the growing belief Jesus came to free them from the Romans. (Oh, did they watch the last episode as well?) 



His followers, led by Peter and Mary Magadelene, follow him and witness his miracles. Which include: healing the paralyzed man lowered in through a hole in the roof, the miracle of the loaves and fishes, curing the man of leprosy, and raising Lazarus from the dead amongst others. I do wish they had done the first miracle at the wedding feast of Cana. Especially since they had older Mary (Roma Downey) in this episode. It would've been a nice scene. But just a minor nitpick. 

The actress playing Mary Magdalene, Amber Rose Revah, was very good. Most of the apostles were just...there. They did show how Matthew was called, mostly so we could see Jesus call out the Pharisees. Otherwise, he disappears into the crowd. 

There was one apostle who often was the one to play Devil's advocate and I thought it was Judas. But instead, it appears to be Thomas. They are taking the phrase "Doubting Thomas" a bit far, in my opinion. In the gospels, it is mostly him doubting Jesus' resurrection--which you can't blame the man for. Imagine if someone told you your dead friend was no longer dead. You wouldn't believe them either, would you? You'd want to see some proof, right? So, that's where Thomas is coming from. He doesn't come across as the Apostles' Debbie Downer in the Gospels. Other interpretations usually give the "realist" role to Judas, usually in an attempt to make him sympathetic. See: Jesus Christ Superstar's "Heaven on Their Minds." In this, we don't hear much from Judas until the Pharisee corner him in the temple and encourage him to betray Jesus. Only Nicodemeus hesitates. 

But the series is stressing that the Pharisees were doing what they thought was right--to protect their religion and their people. Because Rome is the evilest evil who ever eviled and will punish the Jews for Jesus and his followers. Especially with that belief he's the new king of the Jews, come to free them. Even though Jesus tells them he isn't there for that (Did the scriptwriters for the last episode get that memo?). 

As the Last Supper unfolds, tensions grow. Judas has already decided to betray Jesus and Jesus knows his friends won't stay by his side. Though Peter does attempt to after the arrest. Jesus stands before the Pharisees as they pass judgment on him and this is where this episode ends. 

It's a good set up and, once again, faithful to the source material--with the examples of Rome's cruelty the obvious exception. This may be one of the best casts on television right now. It wouldn't be surprising to see Diago Morgado (Jesus) getting more work after this. So, good for him!