It’s a TV series called ‘Yeshu’, the Hindi name for Jesus and it’s slated for telecast on ‘&TV’ a ZEE TV subsidiary, on December 22. This TV series, produced and directed by Arvind Babbal is being touted as having ‘a never before story line’. The claim is certainly true, because what’s being promised by the promos is a spicy dish of made up masala that isn’t there in the Bible.
Even the tag line, being so proudly presented by the channel is offensive to a great number of professing Christians. the tagline says: ‘Kya aapne dekha hai kareeb se jo aaj bhi bandha hai saleeb se?’ This translates as ‘ have you taken a close look at he who is even still bound to the cross today?’ As one affronted individual pointed out,” Jesus isn’t tied to a cross today, he’s risen!
This series, judging by the promos and the press releases, has stretched the limits of poetic licence, foraying into fantasy and borrowing from gnostic tales the legends of Jesus’ childhood, which aren’t part of the accepted books of the Bible. There is already an appeal on you tube ” YESHU SERIAL-THREAT FOR CHRISTIANS” that calls out the series for being inaccurate, fanciful and misleading about the life of Christ as portrayed in the gospels and accepted by Christians.
The channel has put out a press release that says, “‘Yeshu’ is a story of an exceptionally benevolent child who only wants to do good and spread happiness all around him. His love and compassion for all is a stark contrast to the dark, evil forces prevalent during his lifetime. Witnessing the various atrocities on his family and in society has a deep impact on him. His attempt to help others and ease their pain often leads to situations where he inevitably ends up being hurt and condemned, by not just the oppressors, but also people at large. But even that does not stop Yeshu from continuing on his path.
Born in a cowshed and devoutly religious home, Yeshu, in his growing up years, has profound knowledge and understanding of spirituality and religion, which shapes his core beliefs of love, compassion, forgiveness and peace. While he is blessed with miraculous powers, he is unaware of them. Through his childhood, Yeshu is nurtured and guided towards his life purpose by his mother.”
The series probably follows the pattern of other ‘creative representations and retelling of stories’ that are being put on by the channel, but as its date of release nears, there is unease among a prominent number of Christians that the series will present a false and embellished life of Jesus and it will cause confusion in the minds of Chrstian children about the accepted tenets of their faith.
A concerned Catholic parent said that the series would undo whatever catechism her kids have learnt at Sunday school, and wondered why a section of the clergy seems to be endorsing this ‘media monstrosity designed to undermine over 4 centuries of Latin catholic tradition’.
It would be prudent for the producers to put out a statement that ‘Yeshu’ is a series about a the adventures of a fictional child, and that it is a work of fiction ‘inspired’ to an extent by the New Testament.
The moment I saw the trailers, I realized the serial is total trash based on our faith and community. I have never watched it and don’t intend to. I prefer watching The King of Kings, The Greatest Story Ever Told or Jesus of Nazareth and the Passion of Christ (2004) over this garbage.
This is the age of deception, many false teachers preachers have come and will keep coming, we must stand on guard with the Holy Word of God both as our Sword to counter them and a solid rock to stand on! All christians should write to the respective churches/diocese/synods etc. to ask the I&B ministry to stop telecast at once; this will give non believers an opportunity to doubt the authenticity of the Bible- wonder if it is deliberately being telecast, to create distortion of our faith in the country, at this time of intolerance.
what prompted the release of this christian serial in such times of religious intolerance around us today, esp when the official media channels are already controlled by the govt. Is this to spread misinformation of our faith deliberately for future persecution projects? and has anyone directly addressed these individuals who are spreading a false depiction of the Word of God which is wrong and forbidden by the Holy Bible see<
*Revelation 22:18-19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
*Deuteronomy 4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.
Fictions lead to distortions. The reality leads to transformation. Hence it always desirable that the reality is upheld. Otherwise one lead to diminishing of faith and gradually to lose it. For any one who may lead to this effect the biblical warning is very clear. Fr.A.Sebastian
I have learnt from reliable sources that the script is written by an SVD priest, so let us not be in a hurry to pack the producers off to hell😨😨😨
This is terrible! For anyone to make up a fictional story about our Savior. Whether one believes in Christ or not, there is not call for descrating the life story our perfect God, who is loving and merciful to all. Thou Shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain. This is a violation of our first commandment. We must pray for the souls of those behind this. They are infinitely loved by God, and do not know what they are doing.
If I am not mistaken this is being produced by a Catholic religious order in Mumbai and I had commented on it in Matters India. Let us await its release before jumping to conclusions
If the name Yeshu is objectionable and linked to Jesus than the name can be changed to any other name. The censor board should critically examine and ensure that religious sentiments are not hurt.