When Jesus Wept, The Jerusalem Chronicles Series #1 -eBook
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My new favorite book!
When Jesus Wept by Bodie and Brock Thoene is my new favorite book. Bodie and Brock Thoene have been preferred authors of mine for many years, so when I saw a book written by them offered on Book Sneeze, I knew I had to review it. I got the e-book, so it is not taking up room on my very crowded bookshelves, but I will be rereading it in the future. In fact, I plan to read it aloud to my family on our next road trip.
When Jesus Wept is the story of Lazarus or David ben Lazarus, as he is known in this book. I have always loved Bible stories told with the fleshing out of fictional details, as long as the story remains true to the Bible, and this one does. The stories of Jesus in the Gospels are interwoven in a few years of the life of Lazarus in an amazing way. We donâÂÂt know if his sister, Mary, was the woman caught in adultery, but she might have been. In this story, she was, and the encounter changed her forever, and she became a devoted Christ-follower who poured out her life in service.
Did you ever wonder why Lazarus died the first time? In this story, his death was the result of his service to Jerusalem Sparrows, homeless street orphans.
I had never thought about how Lazarus felt, being called back from where he was in Paradise. He very likely was having a wonderful time of reunion with his loved ones in that happy place. I had always just considered his sisters needing him on earth. Jesus had His reasons, no doubt one of them to prove His power over death and the grave just prior to His own death and resurrection. I got new insight into the parables and stories that Jesus told, because just perhaps, Jesus told them because of happenings in his friend, LazarusâÂÂs life.
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus became real people to me in this book, as I read of their lives, families, vocation, service, and friendship with Jesus. The Thoenes are excellent at the background information about the times, culture, politics, even the landscapes, of the Holy Land where the story takes place.
I canâÂÂt say enough good things about this book! I highly recommend that you get a copy and read it a few times! IâÂÂm anxious for that road trip to read it aloud and see what else I can learn along the way.
May 16, 2013
When Jesus Wept
I have been a huge fan of Bodie and Brock Thoene ever since I read In My Father's House way back in 1992. Their writing transports me into the time and culture of the characters they write about. I've felt immersed in war torn Jerusalem, the American Great Depression and the famine of the 1840's in Ireland. I've only read the first three books of the A.D. Chronicles, but they made me feel as though I walked the dusty roads and saw sheep grazing and shepherds as I travelled with the Lord. Brock and Bodie Thoene made the biblical accounts come alive while still preserving their integrity and the truth of their message.
I was so excited when I saw that a new series was being released. When Jesus Wept has been on my to-read list for months. Maybe I was too excited, or my expectations overly high. Perhaps I have put the Thoene's on an unreachable pedestal, but I did not feel immersed in the culture like I did in the A.D. Chronicles and the story of Lazurus did not come alive to me in quite the same way their other stories did. In fact, portions of the A.D. Chronicles are retold in this book.
The prologue, which is repeated later on as the climax of the story is the most profound and powerful part of this story. "His sigh shook the universe" ...just a sigh..and "on a clear night constellations above the earth reflect on the still surface of the sea. But here. Only one of Jesus' tears contains a galaxy." ...just a single tear...they are such powerful statements. The magnitude of these thoughts made me think how much more our Lord really is, more than we can really fathom in our finite minds. I am in awe of how magnificient He will be face to face.
The Thoene's use the comparisons of the vine and the vinedresser throughout this novel rightfully declaring the Lord as the the true vine and the Father as the vine dresser. "Vineyards. The only crop I know where a hardship in the maturing makes the end result exquisite." "Only the vinedresser knows what will make the best wine. The vine is stressed - it reaches deep for the water, the shoots are pruned, the clusters thinned, and in the end the fruit is richer and the wine is full of character and grace. Though the growing may be difficult, God will be glorified a the end of every righteous man's story."
When Jesus Wept, by Bodie and Brock Thoene is currently available for purchase from your local or online book retailer.
Thank you Zondervan and Litfuse Group for the free copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
April 20, 2013
Fantastic Book!
Fantastic Book!
This book takes you into life in Israel around 30AD. The descriptions of owning and managing a vineyard are wonderful. I loved seeing the ministry of Christ from Lazarus` viewpoint. If you've ever wondered how did Lazarus become ill, they have presented a very plausible explanation. Though we will never know the true story this side of heaven.
May 8, 2013
A stirring historical read
Bodie and Brock Thoene have created a stirring account of the life of Lazarus in their latest book, "When Jesus Wept". I have always been curious about how Lazarus and Jesus met and formed a relationship, and the authors have done a tremendous job of staying true to the Biblical account while exploring how their friendship may have formed. The result is a moving, entertaining story that is sure to please fans of Biblical fiction! The rich historical details that they have woven into the novel add a deeper meaning to the story as readers witness how radical Jesus was compared to the typical Jewish man of the day and in that culture. It is no wonder, then, that Lazarus was drawn to Jesus and his gentle spirit and his wisdom! Some of my favorite scenes included the conversations Jesus and Lazarus had about Jesus being the vine and about the pruning that occurs in our lives with a result of wonderful fruit. These scenes offer deep truths that can encourage all of us as we walk with God and yet experience hard times and so seek a purpose behind what we are experiencing. As a whole, the characters have been beautifully developed, and I love the way the Thoene's fleshed out not only Lazarus but his sisters Mary and Martha also. The story moves along well and is written with the Thoene's usual skilled pen.
If you are looking for a well-written fiction book set in a Biblical setting, then plan on picking up a copy of "When Jesus Wept". You will come away with a greater appreciation of Lazarus and his friendship with Jesus, and will not only be entertained but inspired as well. I award this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher, Zondervan, and Litfuse Publicity Group for the purposes of this unbiased review.
April 23, 2013
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