Book Review: He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado

Why did Jesus Christ die on the cross? Why did he allow himself to endure the torture, the humility, and the horrendous pain? What stories are told by the thorns, the timbers, the nails, the wine and the blood? Max Lucado provides answers to these questions in his own unique style in his book He Chose the Nails, What God Did to Win Your Heart.

Max Lucado takes the biblical account of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and weaves it into answers of why and what God did on the cross to win your heart, your love. He utilizes each specific item to tell a joyous, yet heart-wrenching story of the agony Christ experiences on the cross in taking the punishment which should have been ours. He goes into exquisite detail about the stories told by the tools of torture challenging the reader to listen intently to what they are saying to all of humanity.

The message Max Lucado presents in He Chose the Nails, What God Did to Win Your Heart touches my heart deeply. It is written in a manner so anyone can readily understand this message. He closes the book with a challenge to take all of our moments, the bad, the mad, the anxious, and the final moment of life to the foot of the cross and leave them there. This statement had and still has a profound effect on me (I quote from the book):

"You know, Max, if I leave all those moments at the cross, I won't have any moments left but good ones."

If you are looking for inspiration, if you are looking for a reason to continue to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ, I recommend reading He Chose the Nails, What God Did to Win Your Heart by Max Lucado highly. Slow down and let the words speak to the depths of your soul and your spirit.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Thinking and Reminiscing

Reminiscing

Today is celebrated as Good Friday. We celebrate and reminisce of the crucifixion of Christ on the cross of Calvary. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son (Jn. 6:16 KJV)."

Christ gave all. He is the final sacrificial Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. The blood of the Lamb is applied to the door posts of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Such a tremendous concept it is of so much love Jesus Christ was willing to die for my sin. What can I ever do to deserve such a gift?

Thinking

You may be thinking, "oh boy, here we go, works!" Salvation is by faith. Faith comes by hearing the Word. The Word is from God, of God, and is God. James said, "Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works (Jas 2:18 KJV)."

Your works may not save you, but I contend they may very well help you to stay "saved". "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." We cannot earn salvation by works, but God does require us to love him with everything we are and possess. Like it or not, this often requires work. Go ahead, tell your spouse you love them and never do anything to show it.

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me (Lu. 9:23 KJV)." We're saved by faith. Jesus clearly states here that if we're planning on following him, we're to deny ourselves. Self-denial requires discipline and work. It's very difficult for the flesh to surrender ownership of self. Doing so requires a tremendous amount of faith.

Jesus clearly says if we're to follow him we are to "take up our cross daily." You can call it what you want to, but taking up a cross daily implied action. Taking a stand for anything requires discipline and work. You must have faith in the belief that any stand you take for anything is for the right cause.

Jesus said, "and follow me." If you plan to follow anything, you're going to have to move to do it. Following requires action. Following requires work. However, following someone you've never seen requires faith.

I didn't walk in his steps and hear the words he spoke to the multitudes. I didn't see him open the ears of the deaf and give sight to the blind. I didn't see him cleanse the lepers and heal the lame. I wasn't there when he rose Lazarus from the dead.

I wasn't at Calvary when Christ hung on the cross. I didn't see the blood-covered body sag into lifelessness when he said, "It is finished." It's by my faith I believe he did these things. It's by my faith I believe he walked the face of this earth. It's by my faith I believe he became the final sacrifice for sin.

It's my faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that requires me to take action for Jesus Christ. It's my faith that causes me to do the works for Christ. It's my faith that causes me to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and might. It's my faith that causes me to take a stand with Jesus Christ. It is my faith that causes me to follow him.

Without the faith I possess in the blood of Christ shed at Calvary, there would be no purpose for doing the works God has chosen for me to do. Yes, my salvation is by faith. Yes, my faith has caused me to take action. Yes, by faith I believe Christ rose from the dead. No, I didn't personally see it, but by faith I believe it. And it's by my faith that I too will one day arise and will look into his face and see him as he is. God bless...