We expect to find Jesus on and through the pages of the New Testament, especially in the four Gospels where Jesus birth, life and death have been recorded.
In her book, The Jesus Who Surprises, author Dee Brestin challenges us to also discover Jesus in the Old Testament and in our everyday experiences.
“We must ask Jesus to remove the veil from our eyes so we can see Him in every corner of Scripture and life.”
Two disciples were on the road to Emmaus when “a stranger” came up alongside them and began conversing. Although this stranger explains Scriptures to them concerning himself, they did not yet recognize the stranger was Jesus Himself. Only later that evening, as they broke bread together, did their eyes become opened and they recognized Him.
With recognition came understanding:
“Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45, NLT)
This is the premise of “The Jesus Who Surprises”. It is imperative to see the Bible in its entirety as a story. There are themes which thread throughout the Old and New Testament and point to Jesus and salvation.
The book, a Bible study, is broken into three parts:
- How the Story Began. This section takes the reader through the books of Moses.
- How to Live in the Story. The Psalms shows us how to live with authenticity.
- How the Story Will End. Here we look at the message which the prophet Isaiah brings to us – the hope of heaven.
Each chapter includes Bible study questions to be answered and discussed. There are videos which can be accessed on the author’s website for added teaching. Facilitator resources are also included at the close of the book to assist leaders of small groups.
The book reads easily and there is encouragement and truth in each section. The author closes with these words of hope:
“My hope is that seeing this same story from Genesis to Revelation will give you great confidence in the reliability of Scriptures and the truths they hold. For the Jesus that surprised the two on the road to Emmaus, and surprises us in our everyday lives, is not at all finished surprising us.”
*An ARC of this book was provided to me by the publisher, Waterbrook & Multnomah. My review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Today I am joining … Tell His Story and InstaEncouragements and Grace Full Tuesday and Purposeful Faith and Booknificent Thursdays .
I have this book in my pile, and chose it because I seem to remember hearing a talk by Dee Brestin and really enjoying it. Thanks for this preview! Our reading lists so often overlap, and it does seem as if you are always ahead of me!
And I always feel like you are ahead of me š But I like that as you give wonderful recommendations! Be sure and check out the videos which go along with the book as they are on her website. They are wonderful!
I am putting this book on my TBR list on your recommendation. The author seems to be saying what my oldest son always says – that you must read the Bible in its entirety to understand the whole story. I love surprises! š
Laurie, your oldest son is wise. I could have quoted so much of this book as her points are beautiful and powerful. And I found myself desiring to be surprised more by Jesus in my daily life!
Oh this looks like a challenging and truth-pointing read, Joanne! I’ve been leading a Bible study in which we’ve been addressing this very issue almost every week (unplanned)! I’m going to check this one out!
So glad I shared about it this week š
Thank you for the review of what sounds like a fascinating and insightful book. I need to add to my ever-growing want to read list and check it out. My next book has questions for the reader at the end of each chapter. I’m curious to see the type of resources and videos as well. Thanks again, Joanne. Blessings.
Joanne,
As I’ve been making my way through the Old Testament, once again, I am amazed at how many times the birth, life, and death of Jesus is foreshadowed. Yet, we are still surprised by how He comes, what He does, Who he speaks to and when. I feel like the more I try to pin Him down, the more He surprises me with His love. I was drawn to the title and this looks like a good read. Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Bev xx
I was talking with a friend just yesterday about this story about the men suddenly recognizing Jesus. This book sounds like it would be full of wonderful surprises as we read through scripture. Thanks for telling us about it, Joanne.
Joanne, this sounds like an interesting book! It’s so true that Jesus does surprise us throughout our lives. š I switch off between reading the Old Testament and the New Testament. And it’s always fascinating to see glimpses of Jesus in the Old Testament.
This sounds like a great book, Joanne! One of my biggest passions in the work I do with children is helping them see the Bible as one story and understand how it all points to Jesus. I’m sure there are a lot of adults who would benefit from a deeper understanding of this too!
I have not read this book, Joanne. Thanks for posting about it. Jesus does surprise, doesn’t He?! His ways are certainly not ours most of the time.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
I love this name – the Jesus who surprises! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday at Mommynificent.com!
Tina