Member Reviews
I absolutely LOVED and was blessed by Pastor Furtick's exploration of the last 7 'words' of Jesus, in conjunction with the sermon series at Elevation Church (online viewer). I cannot recommend this book enough! It spoke to my very soul! On several occasions I would be overwhelmed with the thought, "He wrote this just for me - everything I'm reading in this book is everything I needed to be reminded of, in my walk with Christ!"
As I have been going through challenges and struggles, lately, this was a very timely message. Truly a must-read (and the sermon series is a must-watch ...over and over again... as well)!
Standard disclaimer, Netgalley and Multnomah provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Interesting read. It is the Sunday after Jesus has died, He is missing. Two discouraged travelers go back to their home town of Emmaus, about a seven mile walk away from Jerusalem. They are joined by a third unknown, who explains to them all that had to happen to Jesus was in the scriptures. When they urge him to stay and eat, in the breaking of the bread, Jesus reveals Himself. Then he is gone.
Flashback, we are on the hill watching Jesus die. During his time on the cross he utters 7 phrases (Furtick calls them words). Seven happens to be the distance to Emmaus. So for each mile of the journey, we look at the phrases in the order that he said them. They weave the steps that a Christian should take for salvation forward.
Each 'mile' is given a quick story of what was happening at the time said. Then there is a separate section for what Furtick thinks those phrases are to mean. Like anyone else I may not agree with someone's theology but I can learn a lot from anyone I take the time to listen to (or read from).
I enjoyed most of the book. I am not sure if it was me or the book but near the middle I had a hard time with the book. It felt like to some degree or another it was repeating itself in some way. It may have been me being familiar with the content, I do not know. But it was a point that I had to keep pressing on to finish. Eventually I did and the ending chapters did feel much better.
The book would be good as a series of devotions for the week leading up to Easter (Holy Week) or it can be read at any time. I would recommend this book for someone who wants a better understanding of what Jesus did on the cross for us.