Max Lucado. 3:16: The Numbers of Hope. Nelson, 2022.
Anyone at all familiar with the Gospels probably has come across John 3:16, the familiar summary of God’s purpose in Jesus:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)
This relatively short book breaks down this single sentence. It gives the reader hope.
Lucado may be the most popular Christian nonfiction writer in English today. I can see why after reading 3:16. It is direct and clear. It is brimming with encouragement. And it presents its case much of the time in story form.
He reminds us that, like most of the Bible, this verse was not spoken in a vacuum. A Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus had come to talk to Jesus about what Jesus was doing. Jesus had performed some miracles and was teaching from the Hebrew Scriptures with authority.
Unlike some of the religious leaders who felt threatened, Nicodemus was curious. He wanted to find out more. He came to Jesus to find out if he really was a wise and anointed rabbi or a charlatan misleading the people.
That sentence was one of the things Jesus said to him. Lucado breaks it down for us.
It tells us something of God’s intention: including His love for His creation. It tells us something of who Jesus was. Jesus was unique. Lucado shows why.
It also tells us something specifically of God’s intention towards mankind. Jesus’ promise was not limited to Jews or religious leaders. Jesus says it applies to “whoever believes.” That leaves things wide open, and gives even those who perhaps feel unworthy a chance.
It also thwarts the devil’s plan from the beginning. The serpent seduced Eve so she would die. Jesus said elsewhere that the devil’s intent is to steal, kill, and destroy (see John 10:10). But Jesus tells us that because God sent Him into the world, those who believe “shall not perish.”
So His promise is just the opposite of dying. Jesus speaks here and in many other places in the New Testament about eternal life. At one point Jesus actually says to emphasize his point about this promise, “If it were not so, I would not have told you that” (John 14:2).
3:16 tells stories. Yes, there is a story about a golfer as well as one about a religious leader. But mostly it tells the story of why Jesus came and did what He did. It may be the most important story to share. and Lucado does it in such an elegant way, that it is easy to see why readers would gain hope.
This revised 2022 edition includes a collection of forty two-page stories called “Forty Days with the Son.” It could perhaps be used for Lent or for the period between Easter and Pentecost. They very briefly give an overview of Jesus’ ministry. It is Lucado’s way of clearly and simply telling that great, great story of salvation. This book has potential for blessing many people. I suspect it already has.