The Chosen

Will you lay down your life for me?

I only have a few things left to say,

so please listen carefully.

Remember when I sent you out, two by two?

How could we forget?

I told you to take no moneybag, or knapsack, or sandals.

- And did you lack anything? - Nothing.

Nothing.

But it was far easier then.

You were serving your own people,

and they wanted you there.

They welcomed your message.

Our ministry was growing,

and there was little resistance.

From now on…

it will be different.

You will be going into a hostile world.

The nation has rejected me,

and now they will reject you.

Because you are not of the world,

because I chose you out of the world,

the world now hates you.

If you have a money bag, bring it.

Likewise, a knapsack.

And if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.

Master.

We do have two swords.

Certainly, it's not enough

to defend 12 men against violent attacks.

Eleven.

It is enough.

We'll sell our cloaks, buy more.

Protect ourselves properly.

It's all you'll need for now.

My point is

that you should be prepared for hostility and persecution.

But ultimately…

your protection will come from above.

I still don't understand.

You've talked about leaving us.

Telling us to be prepared,

but that you'll give us a helper.

Why not stay, Rabbi?

Why do we need all this when we have you,

and we're all together?

You will all fall away because of me tonight.

What?

No, we won't.

Our Zechariah said, "I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered."

But after I am raised up,

I will go before you to Galilee.

Even if they all fall away from you,

I will never fall away.

Simon.

Simon, behold.

Simon?

Satan demanded to have all of you,

that he might sift you like wheat.

But I have prayed for you specifically

that your faith may not fail.

And when you have returned,

strengthen your brothers.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Satan wants to sift us, and all that.

But I swear to you, on my eema's grave,

I'm ready to go with you both to prison and to death.

Peter, I am giving you all these warnings

about what's coming tonight, and moving forward,

so that when it all happens,

you'll know it was part of God's plan.

And that I am who I say I am.

And I'm telling you.

Even you.

The rooster will not crow this day

until you deny three times that you even know me.

No, no.

Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.

No Lord but God to the death.

- I would die with you too. - I won't leave you.

- - I would die for you.

I would die for you.

We would all die for you, master.

Greater love has no one than this.

That someone lay down his life for his friends.

And that's what we'll have to do?

That's what I will do.

Good morning, Eema.

What's this?

A little something to celebrate

your first wedding job without your father and I.

Isn't it a little premature?

I have no idea how this will go.

Eema.

I can't believe it.

We are proud of you, no matter how it goes.

Our love is not conditional.

I know it's not, but still…

Some mothers might adorn their daughters

before a trip like this,

thinking that appearance might impress the client.

I suppose it couldn't hurt.

Ramah, you don't need mere appearance

to sway a client's confidence in your capabilities.

Your intuition.

Your knowledge.

Your way with people.

It all speaks for itself.

May Adonai bless and keep you, child.

Now listen, Thomas.

My comrade Rafi didn't fare quite as well as me financially

after our time together in the wars.

The wedding tier he paid for

is the three-year vintage up top,

and then as the evening wears on, the two-year.

The vineyard's cheapest arrangement.

But I want to surprise him with generosity.

He's a good man. He deserves it.

Actually, I don't know if he's still a good man.

It doesn't matter.

He was when I knew him.

A lot better than me, that's for sure.

You are a good man, Kafni.

You've been a mentor and a role model.

Thank you, Thomas.

My wedding gift…

is to shock and amaze Rafi and Dinah

with our 15-year Augustus vintage.

At least for the first two barrels.

You know the routine.

If I didn't, you wouldn't be sending us alone.

Don't embarrass me or the vineyard, Thomas.

You have my word.

Oh, how very Thomas.

Everything set up way ahead of schedule.

It's why we keep him on.

Quite a bit obsessive, that head of yours.

I didn't ask for it. It just is.

Make us proud, my sweet.

- I will, Abba. - You'll do great, Thomas.

I know he doesn't say the words to you,

but deep down, he believes in you.

I don't know what to say.

You treat me like family.

We'll leave you and the servants to it.

Naomi and I have to meet with a new vendor in town.

Shalom, shalom, kids.

- Shalom, shalom. - Shalom, shalom.

Feels like yesterday he was just an orphan boy,

showing up at our door,

asking if the vineyard needed workers.

Is that pride I hear?

Let's just say, I've always been able to spot potential.

Ah.

You can take credit for Thomas.

I'll take credit for Ramah.

I'll admit to this.

Her good looks,

she definitely got from your side of the family.

And her wit and pluck.

What does that leave me?

- Inherited property. -

And the master told him, "You owe me."

And since he could not pay, the master ordered

his children sold.

Him and his wife.

Ordered him and his wife sold.

Along with all his possessions.

And children, and all that he had,

and payment to be made.

So the servant fell on his knees and begged,

"Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything."

And out of pity for him, look what this master did.

The master of that servant released him

and forgave the debt.

But when that same servant went out,

he found one of his fellow servants who owed him…

Who owed him only a single denarii,

less than a half-day's wages?

And…

That was humiliating.

I thought I could tell that story in my sleep.

The words, I couldn't find them in front of everyone.

Sorry, I thought I knew this one so well.

He's beating himself up.

I can't believe I besmirched such a wonderful teach--

I've never been more proud of you.

They were hanging on your every word.

Words you had to feed me when I faltered.

What's a brother for?

They were hoping to see Jesus, not me.

Who cares? The point is,

you just preached one of your first sermons

since the two-by-twos in Jerusalem,

to a huge crowd, the week of Passover.

Wait, did Matthew write down all my mistakes?

No, he wasn't there.