I thoroughly enjoyed the vivid homey style of Max Lucado in this work which is just one more example of his ability and skill as writer who knows his subject well and lovingly.

Reading this book was an incredible experience for me and brought me to tears, all with gratitude, for what Jesus out of His love for me and others. Max Lucado has a beautiful and gifted way of presenting the meaning of John 3:16 and provides the vivid descriptions and context, which is helpful to understanding the power of this verse. Prior to reading the book I could say I was familiar with the scripture, hearing it so many times throughout the years, but reading this book provided me with the understanding of what this scripture really means. I encourage anyone who is actively seeking a spiritual relationship experience with Jesus Christ (versus a religious experience) to read this book.

As the title of Mr. Max Lucado's "3:16: The Numbers of Hope" suggests, this book is almost entirely centered on the most famous bible verse, John 3:16. Mr. Lucado's writing style is very easy to read and digest and his use of analogies throughout the book provide an excellent context to some of the deeper meanings of this simple yet so complex bible verse.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 King James Version)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 English Standard Version)

You see references to this verse throughout your daily walk. People at sporting events hold it up for the television cameras, etc. But have you really ever sat down and thought about the profound meaning of this short verse? That is exactly what this book tries to do. While it does go too deeply into theology, it provides an excellent platform to build off of. Some people have complained in their review of the book about the fact of a lack of deeper study but I don't think that was the intended audience of this book.

Jesus turned the world upside down with his teachings and many argue that this quote is perhaps the cornerstone of Christianity. Contrary to many religious theologies this verse points out the fact that you can't "earn" your way to heaven. How could you? How could you ever good enough in the eyes the perfect being? Instead John 3:16 shows the beauty and easiness to receive eternal life. And yet we as human beings take it and make it difficult.

This is the third book I have read by Mr. Lucado. The other two were Facing Your Giants: A David and Goliath Story for Everyday People and And the Angels Were Silent: Walking with Christ toward the Cross (Chronicles of the Cross). I would also recommend both of these books.

In this book, Max Lucado takes readers on a short tour of John 3:16--one of the best known and most beloved verses in the Bible.

As always, Lucado does a fine job of articulating God's love and longing for humanity. While some might consider "God loves you" a simplistic message, it is the heart of the gospel and a much-needed word of comfort and encouragement for today's increasingly fragmented society.

Suitable for both believers and seekers, the book includes a bonus 40-day devotional on the life of Chirst.

Max Lucado's 3:16: The Numbers of Hope tantalizes many a reader in Christian bookstores the world over. Lucado is an international bestselling author and knows how to pick a title.

3:16 is a reference to the sixteenth verse from the third chapter of John: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life" (RSV). Lucado, a minister at the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, wrote a book appropriate for its intended audience of Caucasian, protestant babyboomers. He dissects 3:16 in the most obvious of ways. Much of the narrative consists of Lucado's personal opinion rather than those of scholars or biblical historians. Readers should expect a lengthy, off-the-cuff impressions of Lucado's 3:16.

It reminds me of C.S. Lewis, had he come of age in the 1980s and attended a megachurch. No one can deride Lucado's natural, simple prose--not altogether different from Ernest Hemmingway. The book is so conversational that it could be assumed much of 3:16 was borrowed from sermons at Oak Hills Church and conversations with parishioners.

What is lacking in 200 pages of a book centered on one verse of John is any historical context, theology or connection to the rest of the New Testament. Lucado's anecdotes range from mildly amusing to memorable, but how much more effective would the text be if he brought 3:16 to life in an intellectually forceful manner? Numbers of Hope need not have longer. Clever editing would have made room for two much-needed, substantive chapters within the small frame of this popcorn-fluff book.

Lucado is at his best when summarizing the life of Christ in the final third of the book. Every day mentioned in the Gospels is accounted for and placed in chronological order. The mystery is why the passage closes Numbers of Hope rather than introducing it.

Many a lay reader will love Lucado and all his work. He sheds a perspective on 3:16 that deserves consideration. A sprinkling of Greek words is spread throughout the book, just so we know that he has some grasp of the original languages--but not enough to really tell us anything unique. 3:16 is certainly one of the most powerful verses of the Bible. They deserve better treatment than Lucado delivers.

Max Lucado's 3:16: The Numbers of Hope tantalizes many a reader in Christian bookstores the world over. Lucado is an international bestselling author and knows how to pick a title. 3:16? What is 3:16? Which book of the Bible?

3:16 is a reference to the sixteenth verse from the third chapter of John: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life" (RSV). Lucado, a minister at the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio wrote a book appropriate for the intended audience. He dissects 3:16 in all but the most obvious of ways. Much of it his his personal opinion rather than that of scholars or biblical historians. We are reading a lengthy, off-the-cuff impression of Max Lucado's 3:16.

It reminds me of a 90s megachurch version of C.S. Lewis. No one can deride Lucado's natural, simple prose. The book is so conversational I cannot but think much of it was taken from sermons and his conversations with parishioners.

What is lacking is over 200 pages of a book centered on John 3:16 we get nothing of the historical context, basic theology or connection of 3:16 to the rest of John, the New Testament and the Bible. Lucado's anecdotes range from mildly amusing to memorable, but how much more effective would his words be if he brought 3:16 to life in an intellectually powerful way? The book did not need to be any longer. Clever editing of some of his digressions would have made room for two or three extra chapters within the conveniently small frame of the book.

Lucado is at his best when summarizing the life of Christ in the final third of the book. Every day mentioned in the Gospels is accounted for and placed in chronological order. The mystery is why this closes Numbers of Hope rather than introduces it.

Many a lay reader will love Lucado and all his work. He sheds a perspective on 3:16 that deserves consideration. A sprinkling of Greek words is spread throughout the book, just so we know that he has some grasp of the original language of John--but not enough to really tell us anything novel. John 3:16 is clearly one of the most powerful words in the Bible. They deserve better treatment than Lucado is able to deliver.

Max Lucado is one of my favorite Christian authors, in that he has a style of writing that takes you beyond the words and into the emotions of people and places. In 3:16: The Numbers of Hope, he uses the verse John 3:16 for a number of mini-sermons that place emphasis on each word and phrase of the verse. It's an excellent read, and forced me to stop and actually contemplate all that the verse means again...

Contents:
The Most Famous Conversation in the Bible; No One Like Him; Hope for the Hard Heart; When You Get Booted Out; The Only One and Only; The Heart He Offers; Heaven's "Whoever" Policy; Believe and Receive; God's Gracious Grip; Hell's Supreme Surprise; What Makes Heaven Heavenly; The Last Word on Life; The 3:16ed Life; Only Jesus - 40 Days with the Son; Notes

Lucado is able to break down the verse in ways that you might never think of. Each chapter starts off with a story from his life or some illustration from life that anyone can relate to. From there, he turns the illustration in a spiritual direction and shows how the words of John 3:16 in many ways encapsulates everything that the Bible teaches and stands for. To me, the best value comes from his ability to paint color with his words, to give us a scene from the Bible and bring the characters and the message to life in a way that brings fresh perspective. I guess since I've always had a hard time doing that on my own, I appreciate and value it all the more when I come across it in someone's writing. For non-Christians, this book will succinctly provide the message of the Gospel. For Christians, you'll once again be reminded in fresh ways of God's love...

An excellent read...

A wonderfully inspirational book. I love all of Max Lucado's books! I really treasure this one as it is based on God's greatest gift to the world! You can't go wrong with any of Max Lucado's books, they all celebrate God's love for us and help us to discover His vision for our life.