I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord,
the deeds for which he is to be praised,
according to all the Lord has done for us—
yes, the many good things
he has done for Israel,
according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
He said, “Surely they are my people,
children who will be true to me”;
and so he became their Savior.
In all their distress he too was distressed,
and the angel of his presence saved them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them
all the days of old. (Isaiah 63:7-9 NIV)
I recently watched a short clip from an episode of The Chosen that really moved me. In the scene, Jesus is sitting around a Passover table with several of the women disciples — Mary and Martha, Joanna (the wife of Herod’s household manager), Peter’s wife Eden, the foreigner Tamar, and his mother Mary.
They’re sharing a quiet, intimate moment when Jesus suddenly tells them to stay away from him for the next few days of Passover. The women are shocked and confused. But Jesus knew — as we do now — that these final days of his life would be filled with conflict, suffering, and brutality. I believe he was trying to spare them that pain.
Even though they didn’t fully understand the request, they insisted on celebrating the Dayenu with him.
I had never heard the term Dayenu before, but when I looked it up, I learned that it’s a traditional Hebrew song sung during the Passover meal. The word means “it would have been enough for us.” In the traditional Passover Seder, Dayenu recounts the many miraculous acts God performed in bringing his people out of slavery in Egypt. After each act is remembered, the refrain “Dayenu” is repeated — a declaration that even that one act alone would have been enough.
In the scene from The Chosen, the women adapt the Dayenu refrain to reflect their own personal stories, turning it into a moment of intimate, heartfelt worship.
“If I had only been given the joy of holding you in my arms that night in Bethlehem, on a cold ground and not been able to see you perform signs and wonders, it would have been enough.”
“If you had performed signs and wonders and not called be my name that night, it would have been enough.”
“If you had healed Mary of Magdala of her demons, and not healed my eema, and called my husband after your miracle, it would have been enough.”
“If you had called Simon Peter and not healed my friend, it would have been enough.”
“If you had healed Ethan and not raised my brother, it would have been enough.”
“If you had raised my brother and not defended my honor when I worshipped you, it would have been enough.”
“If you had defended Mary of Bethany and not given meaning to my life, which had been so happy and so unfulfilled, by letting me support and participate in this miraculous family that I do believe will change the world, it would have been enough.” *
Today, I invite you to make a list of the miraculous acts God has done in your life, and to spend some time remembering and giving thanks.
God,
If you had only done one thing, it would have been enough. Yet, in your divine kindness, you have done so much more. We will tell of the deeds for which you are to be praised, and all that you have done for us according to your compassion and kindness. Today we pause to remember and reflect with gratitude upon each individual blessing. We remember your abundant grace and all-sufficiency — in both small and large things. We praise you that, in your love and mercy, you have redeemed us, lifted us up, and carried us through life. May our hearts never waver from contentment and gratitude for all you have done for us. AMEN.
*dialogue from “The Chosen” Season 5, Episode 4 – “The Same Coin” 48:30-50:40