★★★★
My previous review was a book with the same title: “Why Jesus.” That one was Ravi
Zacharias; this is by William H. Willimon. I thought I would compare
the two, but as it turns out, the two books are so different it’s a
pointless exercise. I’ll give four stars to Willimon, simply for doing
what he says he’ll do.
I
confess, it took me a while to get into this one. The style doesn’t fit
me; too hip, too informal. Too cute. An example will give you a feel
for the book’s flavor: Jesus attends a “soiree” and a “woman of the
city” shows up and makes a scene, caressing his feet, letting down her
hair, and in general putting the party into an uproar. A Pharisee sneers
that if Jesus were a real prophet, he would know what sort of woman she
is. As Willimon tells the story,
Jesus
replies to the Pharisee, “Simon, do you see this woman? I show up here
expecting a good time, and you didn’t kiss me or give me a foot massage.
She knows how to get down and party.”
Jesus
then puts it in a parable: “A man was owed ten dollars by one debtor,
ten thousand dollars by another. He forgave both debtors. Now, think
hard, Mr. Religious Expert—which man was the most grateful?”
“Er, uh, I guess the one who was forgiven more,” answers the Pharisee.
Yeah,
it took some getting used to, even though Willimon stayed true to his
promise to present Jesus “as the gospels do”: a “wild, weird, and
improbable character.” In time, however, I began to appreciate Willimon
for his devotion to Jesus. I began to see why Jesus means so much to
him. I began to see how many Christians, very different than me, can be
inspired by this same Jesus—who seems to meet the needs of just about
everyone one way or another. Jesus wears a dozen hats the way Willimon
tells it. You’ve met Jesus the Party Person already, so I’ll just list
the rest:
Vagabond
Peacemaker
Storyteller
Preacher
Magician
Home Wrecker
Savior
Sovereign
Lover
Delegator
Body
Whatever you’re looking for in a Savior, it’ll be in there somewhere!
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