Episode 4 – The Perfect Opportunity

Jesse, a paralytic, spends 38 years searching for a cure and stays at the Pool of Bethesda while his brother Simon joins the Zealots, training to become one. Jesus and the disciples head to Jerusalem to prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles. Assisted in Jerusalem by fellow Pharisee, Yanni, Shmuel preaches against false prophecy. The disciples discuss the scriptures as they celebrate the feast. After being informed concerning Shmuel, Jesus decides to go to Bethesda Pool to meet someone, bringing Simon, John, and Matthew. Simon the Zealot. visits Jesse to bid goodbye to him. At Bethesda, Jesus approaches Jesse, asking him if he wants to be healed. Jesus heals Jesse and John writes down the miracle. Witnessing the healing, Yanni and other Pharisees are upset and admonish Jesse for carrying a mat on Shabbat. The Zealots plot to assassinate a Roman magistrate with Simon Z leading the plan, but Atticus Aemilius, a Roman police officer, discovers their plan. When the assassination plan is being carried out, Simon Z is distracted as he sees Jesse walking. The two brothers reconcile and Atticus Aemilius is bewildered. Jesus withdraws himself and Simon Z searches for him.

Pray

Pray together for the group meeting, and any pressing needs within the group.

Watch

Watch the following discussion-starter video. It’ll set the topic of discussion for the group.

Personal Impact

• What is your one BIG idea from this episode? (What captured your imagination most, and what would you first share with someone about this episode and how God spoke to you through it?)
• What quote from this episode was the most meaningful/impactful to you? Why?

Discuss

1. Which characters stood out to you most? Which were most interesting? Most moving?
2. How could the Pharisees, Zealots, and others interpret the same scripture passages so differently? What do you rely on to help you interpret the scriptures?
3. The disciples talk about the feast and sleeping outside to be a great leveler of man. The poor, the rich- everyone faces the same difficulties. What did Mary say it was to remind them of and why is it necessary to have that reminder?
4. Simon the Zealot and Jesse (invalid by the Pool of Bethesda) are creatively connected as brothers by the series. How did the back story give you insight into the misery of Jesse whom John 5:5 tells us had been disabled for 38 years? How might his presence at the Pool of Bethesda indicate his desire to be healed?
5. The religious elite and the religious extreme were both missing out on the miracles of Jesus. Jesse’s hope was misplaced but why do you think he still experienced the miracle and what was the significance of that?
6. As you witnessed the disciples’ preparation for the Festival of Booths, what thoughts did you have about the significance of religious tradition/heritage, and about how Jews experienced God in community?
7. Jesus knew who He was looking for at the pool. He went seeking Jesse. Who is the Jesse in your life? Why? (Answer from his brother’s perspective and from Jesus’ perspective.)
8. Jesus told Jesse the pool had nothing to offer him. What do you find yourself turning to time and again that cannot satisfy/ provide/help you? In what ways do you turn to a “pool” instead of Jesus?