Q: No rest for the w…? What’s the last word: weary? wicked? women?
The people of Israel, from ancient times to the present, observe Shabbat (the Sabbath): rest. “Shabbat shalom” is a blessing of peaceful rest; the ceremony recalls history and refreshes hope.
A woman in the opening scene of “The Chosen,” episode 2, explains, “Shabbat is a time for rest, and time to honor three things: family, our people, and God. Most important of all, we honor God and all His works. We rest because He rested on the seventh day. We rest to refresh our souls, to know Him better.”
In this episode only one of the four main characters enjoys peaceful rest. Tax collector Matthew verifies with Quintus, the Roman magistrate, the deal to forgive the debt of brothers Simon and Andrew. Yet Matthew, who had renounced his Jewish faith, has no peace of mind, telling Quintus not to trust Simon.
Simon had gambled away his earnings. To recoup his losses, he worked at night on Shabbat, violating the commandment to keep Shabbat holy. Previously, the Romans assumed no Jews worked on Shabbat, so didn’t patrol the docks to report fishing income. However, when Quintus caught him fishing, Simon made the deal to turn in others fishing on Shabbat. Now he has no peace at home; his wife disapproves of “whatever this is.”
Nicodemus decides that only God could heal Mary Magdalene of her demons, then discovers that “someone else” succeeded where he had failed. When a Shabbat guest tells him, “You make us whole,” Nicodemus sharply replies, “Only God can do that!” With no peace in his spirit, he later goes to John the Baptizer for answers.
Mary joyfully prepares to celebrate Shabbat with two invited guests and two surprise guests for dinner. Hearing another knock, she opens the door. Standing at the threshold is her healer. He who called her by name now reveals his name: Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” In the final revelation, Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” He is “Shabbat shalom!”
A: To be “chosen” means You Rest.
