Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 A Terrific Companion to "The Passion of Christ" October 24, 2008
John Piper's Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ is a terrific companion to his book The Passion of Christ. I finished Piper's book on the 50 reasons Jesus came to die just a couple weeks before I began this one.
Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ is written in a devotional style. Piper continually quotes from Scripture as he writes, investing his work with authority.
There are two chapters that stood out especially for me. Chapter 7 speaks of the bad reputation that Jesus endured. So often I have only noticed the passages that speak of Jesus' enormous popularity in the Gospels. Piper reminded me that Christ's reputation was tarnished by the circumstances surrounding His own birth and by misunderstandings revolving around His association with sinners. Yet, Christ suffered these slanderous comments for our sake and for His own glory.
The second chapter that meant a lot to me personally was on the Severity of Jesus Christ. The tough portrait of Jesus is rarely portrayed in our churches, so it was good and healthy to remember the untamable Savior I serve.
I do not want to be a baby that can't handle solid food, but a grown-up who is able to take the healthy meat of the Word even when it does not go down as easily. Piper helped me to remember the importance of maintaining a teachable spirit. In seminary, this is of vital importance. Humility is difficult to maintain when you are in an institution that prizes knowledge, intellectual ability, and communication skills. If pride takes root now, it will grow into a bitter tree that God will have to chop down in due time. Piper's chapter on the severity of Christ reminded me of these lessons.
I enjoyed the final chapter, one that spoke about Jesus' return. Piper quotes so much Scripture in this chapter that it almost becomes a chain of Bible verses with only periodic interruptions from Piper's pen. I appreciated the author's love for Scripture and found myself enthusiastic and excited about Christ's second coming, as well as convicted over my lack of preparation. Too often, the lamps of my life are not lit and the candles are not burning.
I typically spend Advent preparing spiritually for Christ's Second Coming. Piper's chapter lit in me a passion for preparing constantly for Jesus' Coming, for indeed, it could be any day now.
What a blessing reading this book is! February 11, 2008
I was given this by my pastor's wife as a Christmas gift. It's the best gift I have gotten in years, hands down! As a busy homeschooling momma I have short periods of time to read and this book is just awesome in that regard. This chapters are short enough to be manageable, yet are so powerful that each one leads you a bit closer to Christ bringing your spirit into a state of worshipful awe with each word. Sometimes we become so distracted by the everyday things of life, and we lose sight of the magnificence of Jesus Christ. This book will bring you to your knees, ignite the zeal for Christ in your heart afresh and revive your spiritual life. This is the first book by Mr. Piper that I have read, but it will not be the last.
Jesus is Awesome!!! January 21, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
After reading this book I fell in love with Jesus all over again! I was going through a rather discouraging time of my life when I read it, and was letting satan's lies get the best of me, but God used the truths in this book to encourage and strengthen me. The book is not very long, and contains 13 short little chapters, each one focusing on a different aspect of the character of Christ. Jesus is so awesome! He's the Lion and the Lamb, the express radiance of the glory of God, and in fact God himself. Yet despite His position He gave it all up and suffered through shame and reproach and inexpressible anguish on this earth because of our sin. Jesus knows when to be tough and when to be compassionate, and He always has our best interest in mind. He is the source of invincible life and there's nothing that can keep in in the grave! And some day He's going to come back in all of His glory, and faith will be swallowed up by sight. John Piper states all of these truths and many more in such a clear, concise way. This book contains so much scripture, it could almost come straight from the Bible. Each chapter ends with a powerful prayer that really makes you think. This is one book I can wholeheartedly recommend for ANYONE, saved or unsaved, and it ends with a clear gospel presentation. "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ" is definitely my favorite Piper book because it gets beyond all the theological talk and the reasoning and the mumbo jumbo, and you're only left with Jesus, and He is the only thing that matters anyways. His lifechanging power is displayed on every single page of this book. Order two copies, one for yourself and one to give away. And reread it often as a short devotional, it always reminds me of how much Jesus has done for me and how awesome he is, and I go about my day rejoicing!
A Wonderful Read! June 8, 2007
This book has taught what it means to appreciate Christ in all his glory. How easy it is to for us to who Jesus really is. This book brings us back to gaze upon the majesty of the glory of our blessed Lord.
 All About Christ (The way everything should be) May 4, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
What I like about this book, written for Christians and non-Christians, is that it is so full of Christ because I am so fed-up with man-centered gospel, that is all about me, all about men, by which, I refer to Arminianism and its stench that so defiles the gospel and is a disgrace to the glory of God. The only true gospel that can satisfy the deepest longing of men's soul is all about Christ, not men.
"God is the wealthiest person in the universe. He owns everyone else and everything everyone else owns." (p.83)
"Christ does not exist in order to make much of us. We exist in order to enjoy making much of him. Christ is not glorious so that we get wealthy or healthy. Christ is glorious, so that rich or poor, sick or sound, we might be satisfied in him." (p.21)
Amen! What I love in particular, among the biblical multi-dimensional views of the Lord Jesus Christ in this book, is the description Dr. Piper derived from one of Jonathan Edwards' texts, "The Excellency of Christ" (1736), which I also highly recommend, of Jesus being the "Lion-like Lamb" and the "Lamb-like Lion" (ch.3). The prayer at the end of each chapter is worth following and repeating in our personal prayers. These are prayers that come from a pastor who genuinely loves God and people I have learned to distingush from those of money-loving, world-loving, gospel-manipulating, man-centered, man-pleasing, self-centered preachers.
|
