Transcription
Hey everyone. Um, I wasn't planning on making this video today. We're here in Italy filming season 6 of The Chosen, and it's supposed to be my day off, but I had this dream last night that I can't shake. Been walking around all morning feeling like I need to share this with you guys.
I know it might sound crazy, but I believe God speaks to us in dreams sometimes. And this one, this one felt different. I'm sitting here in my hotel room in Rome, looking out at this beautiful city, and I keep thinking about what happened in my dream. I've played Jesus for years now, and I've had plenty of dreams about the show, about filming, about the character, but this wasn't about the chosen. This was this was Jesus speaking directly to me and more importantly speaking through me to all of you.
I almost didn't make this video because honestly, who am I to claim that Jesus spoke to me in a dream? I'm just an actor, you know? I'm not a pastor or a theologian or some great spiritual leader. But then I remembered that God often uses ordinary people to deliver his messages. The disciples were just fishermen and tax collectors, right? So maybe maybe this is real. Let me tell you what happened.
I went to bed last night exhausted from a long day of filming. We were doing some really emotional scenes and I was drained physically and spiritually. I remember praying before I fell asleep, just asking God to help me portray Jesus with authenticity and love. Nothing unusual about that. I pray that prayer every night during filming. But then I had this dream.
I was in this place that wasn't quite earth, but wasn't quite heaven either. It was like, imagine the most peaceful place you've ever been, but multiply that by a thousand. There was this soft light everywhere and I felt this overwhelming sense of love and safety. And then I saw him, Jesus. Not the way I imagined him when I'm acting, but more real somehow. He looked at me with these eyes full of compassion. And I immediately felt like crying. Not sad crying, but like relief crying. like when you've been carrying something heavy for so long and someone finally takes it from you. He smiled at me and it was the most beautiful smile I've ever seen. Full of joy and understanding and unconditional love.
The first thing he said to me was, "Jonathan, you've been carrying my message well, but there's more I need you to share." And I remember feeling both honored and terrified at the same time. I said, "Lord, I'm just trying to do your work through this show." and he nodded and said, "Yes, and that's important, but there are people who need to hear specific words right now."
He started walking and I followed him. We were in this garden that kept changing. Sometimes it looked like Gethsemane, sometimes like Eden, sometimes like places I'd never seen before. And as we walked, he began telling me things not about the show, not about my career, but about life, about love, about the struggles people are facing right now. He said, "Many of my children are forgetting who they are. They're measuring their worth by their achievements, their bank accounts, their social media followers, their failures and successes. But that's not how I see them."
He stopped walking and looked at me directly. "I need you to remind them that they are worthy of love simply because they exist, not because of what they do or don't do." And I could feel the weight of that message. You know how many of us, myself included, struggle with feeling worthy of love. We think we have to earn it, prove it, maintain it. But Jesus was telling me that our worth isn't based on performance. It's based on the simple fact that we're God's children created in his image, loved beyond measure.
And he said something that really hit me hard. He said, "Tell them that forgiveness isn't just something I offer them. It's something they need to offer themselves." He could see I was confused. So he explained, "Many people accept my forgiveness, but then continue to punish themselves. They hold on to guilt and shame like a security blanket, thinking that suffering somehow pays for their mistakes." He said, "Self forgiveness isn't about excusing wrong behavior. It's about accepting that my grace is sufficient, that my love is stronger than their failures." when they forgive themselves, they're not being selfish. They're agreeing with me about their worth. Man, that just that hit me right in the heart.
We kept walking and he started talking about purpose. He said, "So many people are looking for their purpose in the wrong places. They think purpose is about having a big ministry or changing the world in dramatic ways, but purpose is simpler than that." I asked him what he meant and he smiled again. He said, "Your purpose is to love. That's it. Love me. Love others. Love yourself in a healthy way. Everything else flows from that." He gestured around the garden. "When you love, you're fulfilling exactly why I created you." The specific way you express that love through acting, teaching, parenting, serving, that's your unique calling. But the foundation is always love.
[Music] I remember asking him, "But Lord, how do people know the difference between love and fear? Because sometimes what feels right is actually fearbased." And he nodded like he'd been waiting for that question. He said, "Tell them to listen to their hearts, but with wisdom. Love always leads to freedom, peace, and connection. Fear leads to bondage, anxiety, and isolation." He explained it like this. When someone is making a decision out of love, they feel peace even if the choice is difficult. When they're making a decision out of fear, they feel anxious even if the choice seems safe. He said, "Fear whispers lies about what might happen. Love speaks truth about what's possible with God."
And then Jesus did something that surprised me. He sat down on this rock and he looked tired. Not physically tired, but like emotionally tired. And he said, "Jonathan, my heart breaks for how much pain my children are carrying. Pain they don't need to carry alone." His voice was so full of compassion that I started crying in the dream. He said, "Tell them I see every tear they've cried in private. Every moment they felt alone, I was there. Every time they've wondered if anyone cares, I was caring. They don't have to pretend to be strong all the time. They don't have to have it all figured out. They just need to let me carry what's too heavy for them."
I asked him about people who feel like they've messed up too badly for God to love them. People who think they're beyond redemption. And his face lit up with this incredible joy. He said, "Those are my favorite people to pursue, the ones who think they're too far gone. There's no distance too far, no sin too great, no failure too final for my love to reach." He told me to tell people this. "I didn't die for the righteous. I died for the broken. I didn't come for those who have it all together. I came for those who are falling apart. Your worst day doesn't disqualify you from my love. Your biggest mistake doesn't eliminate my grace. Your deepest shame doesn't change my heart toward you."
Then he started talking about worry. And I could tell this was something really important to him. He said, "My children are exhausting themselves with worry about things they can't control. They're stealing joy from today by fearing what might happen tomorrow." He looked right at me and said, "Anxiety is not a requirement for caring. Love is." He explained it like this. Worry is trying to control outcomes through mental effort. But I've already told them not to worry about tomorrow because today has enough challenges. When they trust me with tomorrow, they have energy for today. When they waste today worrying about tomorrow, they lose both.
I asked about people who are angry with God, people who have experienced tragedy or loss and feel like God let them down. Instead of getting defensive, his face filled with understanding, he said, "I can handle their anger. I'd rather have honest anger than polite distance. Anger means they still believe I exist and that I'm powerful enough to have prevented their pain." He said, "Tell them that I grieve with them. When they're angry about injustice, I'm angry, too. When they're heartbroken over loss, my heart breaks with theirs. I didn't promise them a life without pain. I promised them a presence in their pain. I promised them that their suffering has meaning and that I can bring beauty from ashes."
Then Jesus stood up and started walking again, and I could sense that our time was getting shorter. He said, "There's something else I need you to share, and it might be the most important thing." He stopped and put his hand on my shoulder. "Tell them that comparison is a thief of joy and a liar about truth." He said, "Everyone is looking at everyone else's highlight reel and comparing it to their behindthescenes footage. They see someone else's success and assume it means their own failure. They see someone else's blessing and think it means God loves that person more. But I don't have favorites. I have unique, irreplaceable children." He explained that God's love isn't a competition. When I bless one person, it doesn't take away from my ability to bless another. When I give someone a gift, it doesn't mean I have less to give someone else. My love is infinite. My grace is unlimited. My resources are endless. There's enough for everyone.
I remember asking him about social media and how it seems to make comparison worse. He actually smiled and said, "Technology is a tool. Like any tool, it can be used to build up or tear down. Tell them to use it to encourage others, to share truth, to spread love. But when it starts making them feel inadequate or envious, it's time to step away."
Then he said something that made me understand why I needed to share this dream with you. He said, "Jonathan, you have a platform. People listen to you because of the role you play, but I didn't give you that platform for your glory. I gave it to you to be my voice to people who are hurting." He looked at me with such love and said, "Some people will never step foot in a church, but they'll watch your videos. Some people will never read the Bible, but they'll listen to what you say about me. That's not pressure. That's privilege. I trust you with my message because I know your heart."
I told him I felt inadequate, that I'm just an actor playing a role. And he said, "Moses felt inadequate, too. So did David and Peter and Paul. Feeling inadequate keeps you dependent on me, which is exactly where I want you. When you think you can do it on your own, you stop relying on my strength." He said, "The message isn't about you being perfect. It's about me being perfect on behalf of imperfect people. They don't need another performance of righteousness. They need to see authentic faith complete with struggles and doubts and victories and failures. They need to see that following me is possible for real people."
Then Jesus started talking about prayer. And I could tell this was close to his heart. He said, "Too many of my children think prayer is about saying the right words or praying for the right amount of time. But prayer is just conversation with someone who loves you. It's talking to your father, your friend, your savior." He said, "Tell them they don't need eloquent words. They need honest hearts. They don't need perfect theology. They need personal relationship. I want to hear about their day, their struggles, their joys, their fears. I want them to talk to me like they talk to their best friend because that's what I want to be to them."
I asked him about people who feel like their prayers aren't being answered. He got this really tender look on his face and said, "Every prayer is heard. Every prayer matters. But answered doesn't always mean yes. And yes doesn't always look like what they expected. Sometimes no is the most loving answer I can give." He explained it like this. If a child asks for candy for dinner every night, loving parents say no. Not because they don't love the child, but because they do. I see the whole picture, past, present, and future. Sometimes what they're asking for would hurt them or someone else. Sometimes I have something better planned.
Then he said something that brought tears to my eyes in the dream. He said, "Tell them that I'm not distant. I'm not sitting on a throne somewhere far away judging their every move. I'm closer than their breath. I'm in the room with them when they're crying. I'm in the car with them during their commute. I'm in their thoughts when they're afraid." He said, "When they feel alone, they're not alone. When they feel forgotten, I remember them. When they feel like no one understands, I understand perfectly. I became human so I could experience everything they experience. I know what it's like to be tired, hungry, sad, rejected, misunderstood. I know and I care."
As we continued walking through this beautiful garden, Jesus started talking about forgiveness again, but this time about forgiving others. He said, "Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It hurts the person holding on to it more than anyone else." He said, "Forgiveness isn't about excusing someone's behavior or pretending they didn't hurt you. It's about releasing the grip that pain has on your heart. It's about choosing freedom over bitterness. It's about trusting me to handle justice while you focus on healing."
I asked him how people can forgive when the pain is still fresh, when the wounds are still bleeding. He said, "Forgiveness is a process, not a moment. It starts with a decision. the decision to stop rehearsing the offense and start rehearsing my love. Every time the hurt comes back, they choose again to release it to me. He said, "Tell them that forgiveness doesn't mean they have to trust the person who hurt them again. Forgiveness is about their heart, not the relationship. They can forgive and still have healthy boundaries. they can let go of bitterness without letting the person back into their life."
Then Jesus started talking about calling and purpose again. And I could feel his excitement. He said, "Every person has a unique calling, but they're all looking for it in the wrong places. They think calling has to be big and dramatic and recognized by others. But most callings are quiet daily acts of love." He said, "The mother who loves her children well is fulfilling her calling. The teacher who encourages struggling students is fulfilling their calling. The friend who listens without judgment is fulfilling their calling. The person who smiles at strangers and brightens their day is fulfilling their calling." He looked at me seriously and said, "Tell them to stop waiting for some grand revelation about their purpose. Their purpose is right in front of them. love the people in their life well, serve where they are, use the gifts I've given them, be faithful in small things, and I'll trust them with bigger things."
Then he said something that I think a lot of people need to hear right now. He said, "Many of my children are exhausted because they're trying to be everything to everyone. They're saying yes to things I never asked them to do and no to things I did ask them to do. They need to learn the difference between being busy and being fruitful." He explained it like this. Busy is rushing from one thing to another without purpose. Fruitful is doing fewer things with greater love and intention. I want them to have margin in their lives. Time to rest, to think, to pray, to enjoy simple pleasures. Exhaustion is not a badge of honor. He said, "Tell them it's okay to say no to good things if saying yes would prevent them from doing the best things. It's okay to disappoint some people if it means being faithful to me. They don't have to attend every argument they're invited to or solve every problem they encounter."
As our walk continued, Jesus started talking about identity. And I could tell this was something he's really passionate about. He said, "Too many people are building their identity on shifting sand. Their job, their relationships, their accomplishments, their appearance, but all of those things can change or be taken away." He said, "I want them to build their identity on solid rock. Who they are in me. They are chosen, beloved, forgiven, redeemed, equipped, called, protected, provided for. That's not based on their performance. That's based on my character. and my character never changes." He looked at me with such love and said, "When they know who they are in me, they stop trying to prove their worth to others." When they're secure in my love, they stop looking for validation in the wrong places. When they understand their identity, they walk in confidence that's not arrogant, but peaceful.
Then Jesus said something that made me realize why this dream felt so urgent. He said, "Time is short, Jonathan. Not because the world is ending tomorrow, but because life is fragile and precious. People are putting off joy, putting off forgiveness, putting off love, thinking they have unlimited time. But every day is a gift." He said, "Tell them to stop waiting for someday. Stop waiting for everything to be perfect before they choose happiness. Stop waiting for all their problems to be solved before they experience peace. Stop waiting for others to change before they choose love. The only moment they're guaranteed is this one." He said, "Today they can choose gratitude over complaining. Today they can choose kindness over selfishness. Today they can choose hope over despair. Today they can choose to see my hand in their life instead of focusing on what's missing."
Then Jesus stopped walking and turned to face me directly. He said, "Jonathan, there's one more thing I need you to share, and it might be the hardest for people to believe." His expression was so tender, so full of love. "Tell them that I like them. Not just love them, I actually like them," he explained. "People understand that I love them because love is what I do. But they don't always believe that I like them. their personality, their sense of humor, their quirks, their unique way of seeing the world. They think they have to change everything about themselves to be acceptable to me. He said, "I created their personality. I gave them their sense of humor. I designed their quirks. I celebrate their uniqueness. Yes, I want to heal their brokenness and refine their character. But I don't want to eliminate what makes them them. I enjoy them. He said, "When they laugh, I laugh with them. When they get excited about something they love, I'm excited, too. When they create something beautiful or solve a problem or show kindness, I'm proud of them. They're not just my creation, they're my delight."
As I felt the dream starting to fade, Jesus put both hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes. He said, "Jonathan, this message isn't just for others. It's for you, too. You've been carrying the weight of portraying me, worrying about being worthy of the role, but I didn't choose you because you're perfect. I chose you because I love you." He said, 'You don't have to earn my approval through your performance. You already have it through my grace. You don't have to be a perfect representation of me. Just be an authentic representation of someone who loves me. That's all I've ever asked of any of my followers."
Then he said something that I'll never forget. "The people watching you don't need to see Jesus without flaws. They need to see how Jesus loves people with flaws. They need to see that following me doesn't mean being perfect. It means being loved perfectly while growing in that love." He smiled that beautiful smile again and said, "Don't be afraid to be vulnerable. Don't be afraid to admit your struggles. Don't be afraid to show your humanity. When people see that you're real, they'll believe that my love for them is real, too."
[Music] As the dream began to fade, Jesus said one final thing. "Tell them I'm coming back, but not to frighten them, to encourage them. I'm coming back to make all things new, to wipe away every tear, to end all suffering. Until then, they're not just waiting, they're working with me to bring heaven to earth."
[Music] He said, "Every act of love is a preview of heaven. Every moment of forgiveness is a taste of eternity. Every time they choose hope over fear, they're participating in my kingdom. They're not just surviving until I return. they're thriving and helping others thrive, too."
And then I woke up. I woke up with this overwhelming sense of peace and purpose. I knew immediately that this wasn't just a regular dream. This was a message that needed to be shared. Not because I'm special, but because the message is special, and God wanted to use whatever platform I have to spread it.
So, here's what I want to say to you. Wherever you are right now, whatever you're going through, you are loved. Not because of what you've done or haven't done, not because of your successes or your failures. You're loved because you exist. Because you matter to God. Because he created you on purpose for a purpose.
If you're carrying guilt or shame about your past, it's time to let it go. Jesus paid for every mistake you've ever made or ever will make. His forgiveness isn't partial or conditional. It's complete and final. You don't have to keep punishing yourself for things he's already forgiven.
If you're worried about the future, remember that the same God who has taken care of you so far will continue to take care of you. You don't have to figure everything out today. You just have to trust him with today and let him handle tomorrow.
If you're feeling alone, know that you're not. Jesus is closer than your next breath. He's in the room with you right now, loving you, understanding you, caring about every detail of your life. You matter to him more than you can imagine.
If you're struggling to forgive someone who hurt you, remember that forgiveness is for your freedom, not their benefit. You don't have to trust them again, but you can release the bitterness that's poisoning your heart. Let Jesus carry that burden. It's too heavy for you.
If you're comparing yourself to others, stop. God doesn't have favorites. He has unique, irreplaceable children. Your story is different from everyone else's because you're different from everyone else. There's room for you in God's plan. And no one can take your place.
If you're looking for your purpose, start with love. Love God. Love others. Love yourself in a healthy way. Everything else will flow from that foundation. Your specific calling might be big or small, public or private, but it will always be rooted in love.
If you feel like you've messed up too badly for God to love you, you're wrong. There's no distance too far, no sin too great, no failure too final for his love to reach. He specializes in redemption, in making beautiful things from broken pieces.
And if you're just tired, tired of trying so hard, tired of carrying so much, tired of pretending you're stronger than you are, it's okay to rest. It's okay to not have all the answers. It's okay to need help. Jesus said to come to him when you're weary and heavy laden, and he'll give you rest.
The message from my dream isn't complicated theology or deep spiritual mystery. It's simple truth. You are loved. You are worthy. You are not alone. And you have purpose. God sees you. God knows you. God cares about you. And God has good plans for your life.
I don't know what brought you to watch this video today. Maybe you're going through a difficult season. Maybe you're celebrating something wonderful. Maybe you're just curious about faith. Whatever the reason, know that it's not a coincidence. God wanted you to hear this message today. You don't have to have your life figured out before you come to God. You don't have to clean up your act before you approach him. Come as you are with all your questions and doubts and fears and hopes. He's waiting for you with open arms and a heart full of love.
As I wrap up this video, I want to pray for everyone who's watching because that's what Jesus would do. He'd pray for you. He'd ask the father to bless you, to guide you, to give you peace, to help you feel his love in a real and tangible way.
Father God, I pray for every person watching this video right now. You know their name, you know their situation, you know their heart. I pray that your love would break through any barriers of doubt or fear. Help them to believe that they are precious to you, that their life has meaning and purpose. For those who are hurting, bring healing. For those who are lost, provide direction. For those who are afraid, give courage. For those who feel alone, reveal your presence. Help all of us to remember that we are your beloved children, created for love, called to love, sustained by love. Thank you for speaking to us in dreams and through ordinary people like me. Help us to live out these truths every day in Jesus name. Amen.
Thank you for listening. I love you all.