Jesus-Centered Bible

 

The Jesus-Centered Bible, which Group Publishing kindly sent me to review, highlights the biblical references to Jesus in blue letters, beginning with Genesis and continuing throughout the Bible, while red letters emphasize the words and names of Christ.

 

With text provided by the 2015 updated New Living Translation (NLT) from Tyndale House, the Jesus-Centered Bible adds such features as “Reframing Jesus Insights” which “offer interesting context, surprising backstories, and penetrating theological insights that highlight the beauty of Jesus threaded through Scripture.” For example, in 2 Kings 15, the sidebar entitled “Jesus Calls Leaders to Serve” has this to say:

 

“As 2 Kings shows, power can be devastating. The leaders in these pages continually vied for power over one another and over their people. What a sharp contrast to Jesus’ actions! Jesus hit the scene as someone who preferred humility and service to power and popularity.(See Mark 10:45). What does this tell us about true leadership and power? Well, for Jesus, leading means serving – not the other way around.”

 

Another thought-provoking feature includes “The Jesus Questions,” which aim to bring the Lord into contemporary life. For example:

 

“When you see or hear Jesus portrayed at Christmastime, what strikes you as not exactly accurate about Him or His birth?”

 

For instance, as you read the reference to Luke 2, you might notice a single angel, then a host of angels, and an indeterminate number of shepherds but no mention of the indefinite number of wise men who come later.

 

In addition to the challenge to consider facts, other questions might evoke interesting speculation such as, “If Jesus were a graffiti artist, what message would He paint for others to see?” or “If Jesus lived during our time, what kind of car would He drive?” (Of course, He might choose a bicycle to save on fuel consumption and pollution!)

 

Another feature focuses on questions we all ask with biblical responses provided in “Jesus Answers Life’s Essential Questions.” For example, if you ask “What’s My Purpose in Life?” the page entitled “A Sampler Guide To Essential Questions Jesus Answered” points you to Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 1:16-20, Mark 2:14-17, Mark 9:50, and John 21:15-18.

 

The remaining questions also address what most of us want to know:

 

Is God Real?

Why Do Bad Things Happen?

What Is The Meaning Of Life?

Is This All There Is?

Will Everything Be OK?

What Is Truth?

What Is Love?

What Is Right And Wrong?

 

Each question includes biblical references to look up as often as needed to remind us of what is truly important in life and Who is with us always.

 

 

Reviewed by poet-writer and lifelong Bible student, Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2021.

 

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