Great look at the most known verse in the Bible. Max Lucado always writes great books and does great Bible studies.

I love Max Lucado and this book is no different. John 3:16 is such a well known verse and one that we hear about all the time, but this book really took it farther and gave me more. Highly recommend!

This is a review of the new edition released 2/1/2022
Max Lucado has once again written a captivating book that is easy to understand and gets to the heart of the matter in an engaging way. If you’re not familiar with John 3:16, get yourself a copy of this book and find out what it’s all about. If you memorized this verse when you were 3 years old and think you know the story, get yourself a copy of this book and see it all through new eyes. It was the perfect way to start this year with new perspective on just how much God loves us. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.

Max’s way of walking the reader through each word in John 3:16; opens up a deeper and more meaningful underlying of the verse. I just love the way Max writes.

What a blessing this book has been ! Included in the e-copy is a devotional as well. I've read several of Max's other books, and enjoyed them all. This book, however, was profound. So much to take away, and to come back to. His writing is timeless. Required reading in my opinion, This book will be recommended and gifted by me for a long time to come. No one will be disappointed when finished reading.

This book blew me away! I was unable to but it down. Perfect, dazzlingly, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Such a wonderful read. Max Lucado always has such wonderful books and I’m always excited for a new one!

I am a fan of Max Lucado and I find that his books are easy to read and easy to understand. This review is for the recently updated version of 3:16. I have not read the original version so I am not able to compare the two. Max takes a scripture that most Christians have heard plenty of times and breaks it down with wisdom that gives the reader a greater understanding of God’s love. I admire the way Max can bring such a personal and relatable experience to the reader. Even if you have been a believer for years - it’s been over 25 years for me - you will still find comfort, peace and greater understanding from reading this book. With the recent events happening in our world you will find that reading this book will help you find peace yet again. I very much appreciated the devotional part of the back at the end. It led me through the live of Jesus and drew me into an even closer relationship with Him. I highly recommend this book to both new Christians and ones who have known the Lord for awhile.

I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and opinion.

Once again, Max knocks it out of the park!!! If you've ever read John 3:16, I'm sure you think you know what it means and how it applies to you. WRONG!!!! Max explores this verse so deeply that the meaning becomes so very personal.....as it should be. Bible scholar, long time Christian, brand new to the Bible or never read a verse....this book is a must read. Thank you Max for making this verse MINE!!!!!

I enjoyed this book because of it's writing style, unique topic, and the fact that it really provided a thought-provoking experience. Recommended for readers who want to read slowly so as to take time to process.

This is a book everybody needs to read. This book is full of comfort and hope as it draws you closer to God.
I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a relaunch of Lucado's 2007 3:16 with some updated and expansions. I really enjoyed how Lucado takes one verse and makes it so relevant. He makes it so relatable with each break down of the verse that I think unbelievers trying to find the way, new believers, and old believers will find many aspects insightful and informative.

I am new to the author's writing as this is my first book by him. First this is a excellent way to connect with the Lord through scripture that applies to your everyday life. The author has written this in a simple format that everyone can utilize in their daily life. I found it most profound reading and will enjoy it as part of my Bible reading daily.
I highly recommend this book for all who wish to add to their understanding of scripture and verse.

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity.. My review opinion is my own..

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
Max Lucado has a way of applying real life situations to scripture. He leaves you with thoughts to ponder over during the day and week.

Thank you for this free copy of 3:16 provided by Thomas Nelson via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Max Lucado is a wonderfully gifted writer and has a way with bringing clarity to scripture.
I have not read the original version of 3:16 so I don’t know how this revision compares to the original context but this version was a delight. I love to read books that break down a verse word by word to add clarity and make it applicable to my daily life. That is what this book does for me.
I truly enjoy the poetic voice that Lucado writes with in other books. He didn’t use much of that voice here but there were a few places where I saw his style come through and that added comfort as I read this latest work.

3:16 is straightforward. Max Lucado refers to it as "the hope diamond of the Bible. ' From its glossy cover to its heartfelt opening comments from the lives of saints, this book speaks to everyone. " If you know nothing of the Bible, start here. If you know everything about the Bible, return here." Allow this book to speak to you as God would have it.

In this relaunch of his 2007 book, “3:16: The Numbers of Hope,” Max Lucado returned to this well-known-loved-quoted passage of scripture from the book of John:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16.

The very root of our heart problem started in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sin and death entered His perfect world. Lucado unpacked what Jesus meant when He said these words to a member of the Jewish ruling council, Nicodemus. Lucado translated the Greek language at times to share further insight into these 26 words that have become so familiar.

In John 3: 1-21, the Bible said Nicodemus went to talk with Jesus under cover of night. He said,

2 … “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus repeated his reply and added in John 3:6-8,

6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus had believed that our best efforts and hard work for God would help one gain access to the kingdom of Heaven. Now Jesus was telling him he must be born again, and that sounded impossible. Using the example of childbirth, Lucado said the infant offers nothing to the mother during physical birth; the mother does all the heavy lifting. Similarly, our Heavenly Father who created us doesn’t need our assistance to spiritual recreate us.

Jesus went on to explain this rescue plan using a historical account from the Torah.

Before Moses led the people into the promised land, he heard their complaints against God about how tired they were of manna. God sent fiery serpents, killing several people, and they cried out for Moses to ask God to save them. God told Moses to lift up the bronze serpent before the people. The people who looked on it would not perish. That passage became prophetic. Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3: 14-15:

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

Nicodemus would have known that reference and understood the prophecy Jesus would fulfill. Lucado said that Jesus didn’t just do a heart transplant. He swapped hearts with believers. He paid the price as the perfect, sinless sacrifice. Jesus chose the word “whoever,” not a select few, Lucado said. He wants all of us to come to repentance and accept this gift of salvation.

The problem though is not everyone will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. People think there has to be more to it than just believing what Jesus said.

And then there’s people like the man Lucado met on an airplane who had this to say about John 3:16:

“That’s the craziest claim I’ve ever heard, a man once told me. He and I shared a row and a meal on an airplane. But we did not share an appreciation for John 3:16.

“I don’t need God to give anyone for me,” he claimed. “I’ve led a good life. Held a good job. People respect me. My wife loves me. I don’t need God to give me His son.”

The man didn’t believe we have this universal heart problem. Jesus told Nicodemus that we humans love darkness more than light. We don’t want our evil deeds exposed.

Lucado spoke too about those who think all religions lead to the same God. He used the example of booking air travel. Just because all flights go somewhere, all flights don’t go to the same location. Not all religions agree on one God, a one and only Son, Jesus Christ, or about the heaven and hell. Most contradict each other. They can’t all be right, and they’re not all the same.

Christ asks us to trust Him, believe in Him, turn our lives over to Him. He will do the rest.

Last year, I reviewed Louie Giglio’s “Don’t give the enemy a seat at your table” based on a very well-known passage of scripture, Psalm 23. It seemed fitting to start the new year revisiting another well-known passage of scripture, John 3:16. Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for this free draft e-copy of “3:16: The Numbers of Hope.” The scripture promises Lucado shared were a balm to my heart, especially the parts about what Heaven might be like.

I’ve always loved Lucado’s writing style — it’s a sermon style. He did not talk down to the reader and used examples and stories that made this book easy to read and remember later. He used rhyme, alliteration, and puns in ways that helped me remember the main points in each chapter. And he answered debate questions people have about this passage of scripture. This book would make a great gift for new and seasoned Christians.

3:16
The Numbers of Hope
by Max Lucado
Pub Date 01 Feb 2022
Thomas Nelson--LUCADO BRAND, Thomas Nelson
Christian


I am reviewing a copy of 3:16: The Numbers of Hope through Thomas Nelson-Lucado Brand and Netgalley:




Best Selling Author Max Lucado encourages us to study closely the “Hope Diamond of the Bible In 3:16:




When Max Lucado talks of his favorite verse (John 3:16) he says “Every time I recall these words, they are fresh and as stunning as my first encounter with them. The mind-bending awareness of God’s limitless love, his incalculable sacrifice, and the priceless teaching at the core. How can we not review it again and again? I want this generation, and all who come after, to look closely at the key promise of God and choose the gift beyond all gifts.”




In this updated and expanded edition of 3:16, Max will invite you to:
- Stand in awe of how deep, wide, long, and high God’s love is for you

- Understand more fully the living hope you have through Jesus’ death and resurrection
- Rest in the assurance that salvation is a gift from God, not something you can earn.


If you are unfamiliar with the Bible 3:16. 3;16 invites you to know God’s love deeply and intimately. And once you accept God’s love, your life will never be the same.



Let John 3:16 become the banner of your life, so much so that the message of God’s unending and unbending love overflows from you to others.



I give 3:16 five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

I have read many of Max Lucado's books, and think that each one has brought me into a closer relationship with my Creator. This one exceeds expectations! If you are questioning your faith, if you are sure of your faith but need relighting of the fire, or just want a book that peacefully reminds you of your patient grace giving Father, this is definitely for you! I couldn't stop reading it!! Can't wait to start the study group for it!!

I really enjoyed Mr. Lucado’s book 3:16. This book breaks down every nuance of this verse. As a believer I have read this verse many times, but after reading this book, I saw it in a fresh light. He does not sugarcoat the eternal consequences of rejecting this free gift of salvation, but he does remind us there is hope of redemption no matter the bad choices we may have made in our lives. Mr. Lucado does a magnificent job, through God’s word, of describing what Heaven will be like for believers. It had me longing for that glorious day. I highly recommend this book, whether you’re a soul still searching, or a believer who needs uplifted.