By a member of SEND’s Diaspora | North America team 

I have really enjoyed watching the first two seasons of The Chosen. Have you seen it? The portrayals of Jesus and his disciples are very engaging and relatable. However, I was greatly distressed as I watched the special video “Unfiltered: Gen Z reacts to The Chosen”. Have you watched it yet? If not, I would say it is a must-watch. The pain, rejection, and lack of love experienced by most of the nine interviewed Gen Zers from the church, which consequently caused their rejection of God, came through very clearly. Thankfully by the end of the show, it had also become clear that the Jesus portrayed in “The Chosen” series had in a good way shocked most of them. One of them even said: “Whoa, Jesus is a stud!” Not exactly how we might say it, but yes, Jesus is amazing! The thought that came to me again and again, was where would these same people be today if they had a good experience with the church? If they had heard the true gospel and been loved, cared for, and protected?

The problem and experience of many Gen Zers here in the US is the same problem and experience that most of the Muslim world has, they have never been introduced to the real Jesus. So all they are left with is the pain that people who are falsely representing Christ have inflicted upon them. They have no idea who Jesus really is. It is even more confusing to Muslims who believe that the West is Christian. So everything they see in Europe and the US, they think is Christian. No wonder they don’t want to be Christians!

If we want Gen Z to follow Jesus, they have to meet the real Jesus. If we want Muslims to follow Jesus, they have to meet the real Jesus. The question is, who is going to introduce the real Jesus to them? Will it be you? Will it be me? There is a hurting world out there, and they need to hear the healing words of our loving Lord. Of course, Satan doesn’t want the true love of Christ to be shared, so he tries to corrupt, twist, and distort it.

Sometimes people who are hurting bury their hurt and deny that they are hurting. They pretend that they are fine, but deep down they are desperate for love. Others who are hurting, are completely different, they lash out at any who might try to help because it is their way of coping. We must not be driven away from sharing the gospel because a first response is not favorable. We have to pray for grace and wisdom to share with both groups, and for everyone else in between. We must faithfully live out our own love for Christ and let His light shine through us.

There is a hurting world out there. And they are receiving a false narrative of who Jesus is. Will you be the one to change that? I hope so. If you have questions on how to share your faith, start with what Jesus has done for you. Tell the stories Jesus told, maybe even watch The Chosen with them. And then ask if they have questions. Don’t argue theology, don’t argue about their prophet. Let the word of the Lord convict and let the Holy Spirit reveal all in his timing. Make a plan today, of who you are going to share Christ with this week, and then do it.