Customer Reviews
Numbers to live by 
2008-07-16
Master storyteller and popular pastor Max Lucado is at his best in his 130-page riff on one of the best-loved passages of the Bible, John 3:16, a verse he beautifully calls "an alphabet of grace, a table of contents to the Christian hope, each word a safe-deposit box of jewels." Following the main text is a 40-day devotional study on the life of Jesus, excerpted from many of his widely-read books.
Lucado kicks off his book with a retelling of Nicodemus's famous conversation with Christ, in which Jesus tells him, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (NKJV) The thought, Lucado says in his trademark prose, "coldcocks Nicodemus." When he asks Jesus how anyone could possibly be reborn, Jesus responds with John 3:16.
The words of John 3:16, Lucado says, are to Scripture what the Mississippi River is to America --- an entryway into the heartland. "Believe or dismiss them, embrace or reject them, any serious consideration of Christ must include them." They are "heart-stilling, mind-bending, deal-making-or-breaking." Lucado's anecdotes are warm, poignant, often funny, and help him make his points. Chapter by chapter he unpacks each piece of John 3:16, mining the treasures to be found.
One of Lucado's trademarks is his ability to retell biblical stories in a way that refreshes them for Christians who may have heard them a hundred times before or that piques the interest of the first-time listener. He is not afraid to introduce scholarly terms (anothen) but always unpacks them for his audience in an informative, inviting way. His language is vivid and precise, and his writing reflects that of someone who makes it look easy because he has wrestled over every sentence. "Heart-breakers, hope-snatchers, and dream-dousers prowl this orb.... But God loves."
Humility permeates his work and continues to endear this mega-selling author and his writing to his readers. When Lucado writes about himself, he pens lines like this: "Burger dependent. Half asleep....and sinless? I can't maintain a holy thought for my two-minute commute."
Yet there is a toughness to his theology. Lucado is quick to reach out with comfort, but also refuses to compromise his beliefs. His writing on the "in Him" portion of the passage emphasizes this. Looking at the popular belief that all spiritual paths lead to heaven, he takes a firm stand. "Salvation is found, not in self or in them but in him," Lucado writes. "...Don't believe in you; you can't save you. And don't believe in others; they can't save you."
In another uncompromising and passionate look at the word "perish," Lucado writes a no-holds-barred short treatise on hell. "Hell, like heaven, is a location, not a state of mind...an actual place populated by physical beings." He adds, "There is no point on which I'd rather be wrong than the eternal duration of hell...if God, on the last day, extinguishes the wicked, I'll celebrate my misreading of his words." It is not God's will, Lucado says, that anyone should perish. "...but the fact that some do highlights God's justice." There's plenty of fodder here for discussion among Christians. Yet Lucado doesn't leave it there. He adds that "The supreme surprise of hell is this: Christ went there so you don't have to. Yet hell could not contain Him."
Lucado can be as reassuring as he is tough. Consider this lovely passage:
"Allow the only decision maker in the universe to comfort you. Life at times appears to fall to pieces, seems irreparable. But it's going to be okay. How can you know? Because God so loved the world. And, since he has no needs, you cannot tire him. Since he is without age, you cannot lose him. Since he has no sin, you cannot corrupt him. If God can make a billion galaxies, can't he make good out of our bad and sense out of our faltering lives?"
This is a fine introductory book for those new to Lucado's writing and will also be appreciated by his legions of readers. Don't miss it.
--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
3:16 The Numbers of Hope 2008-07-03
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.
Beautiful & Powerful! 2008-05-12
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.
The bible verse that still shakes the world today! 
2008-05-01
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.
A lovely reminder of God's love 2008-04-11
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.
Numbers of Hope is Lucado's stream of consciousness reflection of John 3:16 
2008-03-27
If 9/11 are the numbers of terror and despair, then 3:16 are the numbers of hope. Best-selling author Max Lucado leads readers through a word-by-word study of John 3:16, the passage that he calls the "Hope Diamond" of Scripture.
3:16 will have a large, multi-faceted campaign, including:
- Multiple licensed products to further extend 3:16 at retail. Partners thus far include Hallmark, Dayspring, Kerusso, and Bob Siemon Designs
- 3:16 curriculum and church musical in development
- 3:16 consumer music CD featuring top Christian music artists
- 3:16 as the centerpiece of a global ministry initiative launched worldwide via simulcast on Palm Sunday, 3/16/08
- Unprecedented release in several languages, including Spanish, German, Swedish, Dutch, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese
- Multiple ancillary publishing products to include evangelism booklet, DVD priced for giveaway, children's product, and gift book
Bringing words to life... 2008-02-17
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...
GREAT 2008-01-28
I gave this book to my 13 year old grandson...not an avid reader. He is reading it daily and has been moved by the way God is portrayed.He is a Christian who is learning God's ways.
My grandson also wears proudly the white wristband that came with the book.
The Other 3:16 2008-01-21
Max Lucado does an excellent job of expounding and amplifying on what many consider the most beloved verse in the Bible. It gives to us, who will receive it in faith believing, the plan of reconciling God with man, namely the gift of God's Son for the salvation of mankind. As a correlative verse to this esteemed text is another 3:16 found by the same writer in I John 3:16. It expands the Gospel verse to include what Christians should be committed to do; that is, "By this we know the love of God, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (fellow Christians)". These two verses embody the core of the Gospel message that Jesus summarized when he stated "You shall love the Lord our God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself". Again, thanks to Max Lucado for reminding us what is expected of us to trust in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior and what is expected of us as it relates to our fellow man. 3:16, now and forever!
Srrenghten Your Faith in 2008! 2007-12-22
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.
