followHIM Podcast Episode Summary

Easter • Director Dallas Jenkins • Mar. 30–April 5 • Come, Follow Me

Released: March 25, 2026
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Dallas Jenkins, Creator of The Chosen

Episode Overview

This special Easter episode centers on bringing the resurrection of Jesus Christ to life in faith, teaching, and media. Hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway are joined by Dallas Jenkins, director and creator of The Chosen, for a rich discussion on Easter’s meaning, the process of authentically portraying Christ in media, and the unifying, redemptive arc of the gospel as it plays out in scripture, history, and daily life. They delve into spiritual, personal, and technical aspects of storytelling—drawing connections between ancient prophecy, Christ’s ministry, and its impact today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Meaning of Easter and the Resurrection

• Easter's Centrality

  • John Hilton: “If there's no Easter, there's no Christmas. … it's all about Easter. It's all about the resurrection.” (00:46)
  • Hank Smith: “Easter is what matters. ... we hope for that reunion, but we actually expect to have that.” (01:55)
  • Dallas Jenkins shares his continual effort both personally and as a storyteller to ensure the resurrection feels intimate, real, and transformative. (02:15–05:00)
    • “One of the things that I think is beautiful about [Easter] is...we are forced to...think about the greatest and most impactful moment of our lives.” (03:37)

• Portraying the Resurrection in Media

  • Jenkins emphasizes the difference between harmonizing gospel accounts for teaching vs. crafting a compelling, faithful narrative for television.
    • “The Chosen is a TV show. It's meant to be entertaining while also trying ... to be faithful ... to the Scriptures, but also authentic, even in the moments that aren't directly from Scripture.” (06:44)
  • Jenkins chooses moments based on scripture, cinematic potential, character relevance, and biblical fidelity. He avoids conflating the show’s function with a documentary or scripture itself. (06:38–09:27)
  • He draws connections between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, using visual storytelling to link Moses, Isaiah, and the Crucifixion—culminating in the Resurrection as “not yet…fulfilled.” (10:35–13:10)

Jesus’ Mission, Agency, and the Disciples' Learning Curve

• Voluntary Sacrifice

  • John Hilton: “He is motivated by pure love. ... he offered himself as a willing sacrifice.” (13:16)
  • Jenkins explores showing Christ’s agency and supernatural authority while resisting cheesiness or making it unserious. He highlights the disciples’ confusion—expecting political deliverance over spiritual redemption. (13:38–16:49)

• Disciples’ Understanding

  • Jenkins describes the challenge in writing the disciples as naive but not foolish, noting that their misunderstanding is plausible because of Jesus’ frequent use of parables and mystery in teaching. (17:21)
  • “Why would it go over their heads ... even though you won't even believe, really...I'm doing it now so that when it all takes place, you can look back and know…” (17:21–19:39)

• The Post-Resurrection Transformation

  • The boldness of the apostles after Christ’s resurrection is discussed as persuasive evidence for the reality of the event. (25:03–27:15)
  • Jenkins: “They saw something and someone that gave them that confidence because they had to have been devastated by his death…But then...I'm not questioning, I'm not doubting, I'm not pushing back on Jesus.” (25:54–27:15)

The Five Loaves and Two Fish Principle: Surrender and Trust

• Jenkins’ Personal Journey

  • Jenkins recounts his BYU devotional and the formative moment God impressed on him: “Your job is not to feed the 5,000. It’s only to provide the loaves and fish.” (27:54–34:31)
    • “In that moment when you're actively seeking an answer and actively seeking understanding … this message on Facebook from someone I'd never actually met … changed my life.” (29:37)
  • This principle became the foundation of his studio and his ongoing creative approach—a focus on offering his best and leaving results to God.

• Application for Easter Worship

  • Jenkins suggests making Easter more celebratory—mirroring the joy of sporting events—to make the resurrection feel as powerful as it truly is. (34:48–38:28)

Theology and Testimony

• Grace and Works

  • Dallas Jenkins shares his evangelical perspective: “It is by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves ... I have always been most comfortable at the edge of the Red Sea, recognizing ... He may ask me to strike the rock ... but he doesn't need me to participate.” (39:03–42:36)
  • Responding works and obedience are not to “gain favor, but out of gratitude.” (41:19)

• Portraying Gospel Stories

  • Jenkins describes the complexity of bringing scriptural events to life (such as the Woman at the Well, healing at Bethesda, and Jesus in the Nazareth synagogue), emphasizing deep contextual research, human plausibility, and spiritual authenticity. (42:48–46:53)

Behind the Scenes: The Chosen Production and Personal Impact

• Show’s Intent and Reception

  • The Chosen aims to supplement, not replace, Scripture. Jenkins measures success by whether viewers are driven to deeper scripture engagement. (53:36–54:49)
    • “The only thing we hear about the Chosen … is that it's causing them to read it more.” (53:36)
  • Teachers and families, especially Latter-day Saints, relate to the show’s portrayal of Jesus and appreciate its impact. (50:05–51:13)

• Family and Creative Process

  • Jenkins’ wife Amanda plays a key role in creative development. For example: “I see you” spoken to Peter’s wife was inspired by their shared experience. (56:01–60:21)
  • Show’s themes often mirror Jenkins’ own life challenges—his family experiences both struggle and blessing through the project.

• Casting and Characterization

  • Insights into depicting Matthew as on the autism spectrum—this representation has connected deeply with fans globally. (61:16–63:37)
  • Other surprising characters: Pilate (seen as a younger, conflicted official), Nicodemus (conflicted between social prestige and faith). (70:13–73:52)

• Divine Orchestration and Miracles

  • Jenkins repeatedly experiences “Red Sea moments” where seeming obstacles turn into miraculous solutions, such as early challenges using the LDS set in Goshen, Utah. (77:02–80:46)
    • “I thought God had put it on my heart to use this set ... I guess I was wrong ... Amanda, my wife, goes, no. I think this is just God taking you to the edge of the Red Sea so that when the waters part, you'll know it's him.” (77:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dallas Jenkins, on Easter, Portrayal, and Relevance:

  “The Resurrection is an opportunity to go, ... the human side of him came back on that day and appeared to his friends and appeared to his family because he wanted to make something very, very intimate and special communicated to us, which is, I am with you, I am among you, and I have conquered death, therefore you now can also conquer death.” (04:37)

• Hank Smith, on Resurrection and Miracles:

  “If the Resurrection be admitted ... every other miracle ceases to be improbable. If he can do that, he can do anything.” (05:00)

• Dallas Jenkins, on Disciples’ Perspective:

  “Why would it go over their heads when Jesus is outright telling him. ... They must have just assumed he was giving another parable, another figure of speech, because he does that all the time ... It’ll make sense later.” (17:21)

• Dallas Jenkins, trusting God:

  "Your job is not to feed the 5,000. It's only to provide the loaves and fish.” (29:37)

• Dallas Jenkins, on family and 'I see you':

  “Jesus telling Peter's wife, I see you. I know that this is your ministry as much as it is Simon's ... She says, I believe there's going to be people whose lives are changed all over the world.” (58:48)

• Dallas Jenkins, on behind-the-scenes miracles:

  “So many times where God brings us to the edge of the Red Sea. And then he goes, yeah, I got this. And he parts the waters and we go, gosh, I'm so glad our ideas didn't work out.” (79:18)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Easter’s Significance & Personal Meaning – 00:46–05:00
• Portraying the Resurrection on Screen – 06:38–13:10
• Agency in Christ’s Sacrifice and Disciples’ Uncertainty – 13:16–19:49
• Transformation After the Resurrection – 25:03–27:15
• Jenkins’ Five Loaves and Two Fish Principle – 27:54–34:31
• Ideas for Joyful Easter Celebration – 34:48–38:28
• Jenkins’ Grace-centered Testimony – 39:03–42:36
• Challenging Gospel Scenes to Portray – 42:48–46:53
• Teaching and Scripture Engagement via The Chosen – 53:36–54:49
• Portraying Biblical Characters with Authenticity (Matthew, Pilate, Nicodemus) – 61:16–73:52
• Red Sea Moments in Production – 77:02–80:46
• The Meaning of Being “Chosen” – 81:18–83:11
• Old Testament Links—Ezekiel, Resurrection Foreshadowed – 85:46–87:53

Additional Resources, Projects, and How to Watch

• Joseph of Egypt Miniseries:
  One-season project for Prime Video, coming 2027 (66:49)
• The Chosen Adventures:
  Animated series for children, available on YouTube and Prime Video (66:49)
• Books, Devotionals, Gifts:
  Visit thechosengifts.com for study aids and conversation-starting merchandise.

Closing

• Dallas Jenkins’ Parting Wisdom:

  “Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Turn to him. Follow Him.” (90:10)

This episode is a celebration of the Resurrection’s meaning and a deep dive into faith, creative stewardship, and the shared journey of discipleship—past and present. Through personal stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and spiritual reflection, Jenkins and the hosts inspire listeners to make the story of Easter alive and transformative in their homes, classrooms, and hearts.