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Days of Jesus

 Jonathan Falwell, son of the late Rev. Jerry Falwell and pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church has written a book chronicling the 1,000 days of the ministry of Christ on Earth. The book is one that focues on certain themes and events in the teaching ministry of Jesus. More than a close reading of the ministry of Jesus, I think this book is profitable as a way of seeing our own lives and ministries reflected through Jesus' ministry, and therefore, calling our motives and mission to account.




Early on Falwell asks the question why did Jesus choose fisherman as his disciples, those who were of no great status. He writes in a rather picturesque manner saying, "One strong reason that He chose ordinary people is so no one could brag. No one could boast of being some kind of plum that God was lucky to get" (30). Falwell goes onto point out the well-educated often get it wrong with respect to God. The strength of this section of the book is Falwell's ability to take the great truths of the faith (lowly were invited to be disciples) and turn it into pointed questions that cause us to think and act differently. At the end of this chapter, Falwell writes, "What do you need to drop?" (34-35). In essence, what is keeping you or hindering you from following Jesus? Falwell ends the chapter with a gospel call to trust Jesus and start following wherever he leads.



In the chapter The Way fo Radical Love, Falwell at the end makes the connection between the Good Samaritan and our lives is by asking good questions. Falwell writes, "Who I am reaching out to? Who am I sacrificing for? (70). Radical love that Jonathan speaks of here is not defined by lipservice but by actions, centering on 'the greatest picture of His radical love was when He stretched out His arms on the cross that day on Calvary' (64). Therefore, the call to service, to act sacrificially cannot be done just by word, but must be enacted in a tangible way. I think the way that Falwell moves from narrative gospel text to application and back to story is helpful in bringing out the truths of God's Word. Often, we get too ingrained about reading the Bible that we focus solely on the propositions or the narratives that we lose the power of both.

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Overall, I think this book is a good application of some of the teachings of Jesus. If you're looking for a popular, non-technical book on the ministry of Jesus, this book would be helpful. On a particular note, Falwell does not shy away fromof this boo some of Jesus' more difficult teachings, including his teaching of hell.



Thanks to Booksneeze and Thomas Nelson for the review copy of this book.

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