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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Eyewitness: The Visual Bible Experience

 

In Eyewitness: The Visual Bible Experience, which Group Publishing kindly sent me to review, author Jeff White offers a first-person perspective for each of the 39 Bible people represented in this sturdily bound picture book for adults.

 

The size (11.5 x 8” horizontally), heft (in pounds, not ounces), and colorful illustrations (120 original works of art by 16 artists from around the world) make this an ideal “coffee table” book with 256 pages to leaf through and read at leisure. However, the fictionalized voice of each Bible person telling his or her own story will most likely make you want to keep reading.

 

For example, Adam tells about “A First For Everything” in the opening story based on Genesis chapters 1 and 2:

 

“Before the beginning, there was God.

There was no time. No light or dark. No breath, no death. Nothing.

Just God.

Then God decided: it was time for a beginning.

God spoke, and Nothing became a universe of Everything….”

 

Following a biblical timeline, subsequent Bible stories speak for Eve, the Patriarchs, Matriarchs, and lesser-known people, too, with scriptural references for each. If you’ve read Bible stories as a child or to your children, you’ll see most of the same people have been included, but with factual data we never heard about in childhood.

 

For instance, Moses’ story confesses his having murdered an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew slave, covering it up, then becoming a fugitive. Yet God reveals Himself to Moses and calls him to lead His people out of slavery and into a kingdom where “God’s 10 Instructions For The Ultimate Life” would guide them. From Exodus 20:

 

“These are the words God spoke to His people:

1. I am your God, and your only God.
2. Do not idolize anyone or anything but me….
3. Do not use my name in a way that’s disrespectful or hurtful.
4. Set aside one holy day every week to rest and focus on me.
5. Treat your mother and father with respect….
6. Never murder anyone.
7. Never cheat on your spouse.
8. Never take anything that doesn’t belong to you.
9. Never lie about someone else or spread gossip.
10. Never long for things that belong to other people.”
    
    

The stories continue with Rahab, Ruth and Naomi, David, Solomon, Esther, and a few of the prophets before taking a timely turn to narrations by Mary and the apostles who also have experiences with the Lord to share. But the stories told from Jesus’ viewpoint especially intrigued me.

 

As a writer and lifelong student of the Bible, I’ve often written Bible-based manuscripts and even planned to write (and maybe illustrate) a Bible storybook for adults someday. However, the idea of taking on Jesus’ perspective, which seems intimidating to me, apparently did not deter Jeff White!

 

For example, in “Higher Standards,” Jesus (through Jeff) has this to say:

 

“My followers are different from everyone else. They’re salt in a world that has no flavor. They’re light in a world filled with darkness. People will see God at work because of the compassionate things you do. So be salt! Be light!”

 

And in “God’s Kingdom,” we have this perspective from Jesus:

 

“When I talk about God’s kingdom, here’s what I mean.

 

“My Father’s kingdom isn’t made up of money and possessions. Those things are temporary and can be lost. True riches transcend the physical world, and they’re the only kind that have any lasting value.

 

“When you focus on the things of God, it’s like a bright light that lets you see as clearly as day. But money and possessions can make you blind to what really matters….”

 

The many stories continuing from the perspective of Jesus and His followers invite us into their conversations and experiences as though we, too, are there in Eyewitness: The Visual Bible Experience - a "coffee table” book you’ll actually want to read.

 

Mary HarwellSayler, ©2020, poet-writer, Bible reviewer, and lifelong lover of God and His word

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Click the link to order a copy of Eyewitness: The Visual Bible Experience 

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