This short book (94 pages) by C.J. Mahaney is a fantastic text on Jesus’ work on the cross. It was so compelling that at times I had to stay up and continue reading – sadly something that rarely happens with Christian books, especially on a topic as sobering as the cross. Along with John Stott, Mahaney has to be one of the biggest cross-centred preachers of the last 30 years. His heart for the cross is challenging and encouraging – something I want to have more of.
Here are a few sample quotes:
Better than I deserve (p. 30)
Can you place yourself in Job’s sandals? In the true reality of the divine dilemma, that’s exactly where you and I are in our humanity – ready to die under the righteous wrath of a holy Lord, with absolutely no hope … except to cry out for a mediator. (p. 35)
Jesus knows this is the hour for which He was born. This is the reason He had come into the world, and He in no way wants to resist it. He was born to die as our mediator. You and I know we’re going to die; what we don’t know is when or how. But Jesus knew when, He knew how … and most importantly, He knew why. (p. 63)
A great read on the cross, short, precise but full of nuggets.
