The Christian song about heaven, "I Can Only Imagine," came to mind as I read mega-writer Jerry Jenkins' latest novel connected to son Dallas Jenkins' exceptionally-well-done film series on the life of Jesus. This novel, which takes up the early years of Jesus' ministry, fills in with imagination the gaps of itinerant ministry with (from our viewpoint) a very mis-matched set of followers. The Bible gives us their names and hints at their personalities, but Jenkins imagines them in full color--feisty, loyal, questioning, courageous, submissive and worried about where their association with Jesus will end up. Their gritty, dirty, faith-testing lifestyle--which often includes them asking "where will we find food?"--is like mortar in the bricks of the story of Jesus. In reading this, I found my imagination "filming" the scenes--not a surprising reaction for a story whose beginning series have already made a significant impact in the Christian film industry. The Jesus of "The Chosen" doesn't lollygag through the trails of Israel; He's real, facing hunger, the demands of a diseased world, his followers' doubt and mistakes, and the scalding opposition of religious authorities. He's aware of all that this will lead--perhaps the story for the next book. Read this to appreciate history imaginatively relived; share a copy with someone who relates well to fiction and may find a different Jesus here than what they'd found in Sunday school art. I received this book as a review copy and am glad to share my thoughts.

Stays true to scripture and the series. Have shared with friends and they have loved it!