Book Review: Just like Jesus

Max Lucado wants us to consider what it would be like, if for one day and one night, Jesus lives your life with His heart. All life circumstances remain the same; the only difference is that Jesus is at the helm of your heart. Would anything change? In order to answer the author's question, one must know something of the person of Jesus.

In his book, Just Like Jesus, Lucado presents the life and character of Jesus as a role model for every Christian life. Readers learn about Jesus' forgiveness, compassion, communion with God, heart for God, worship, focus, honesty, submission of thoughts to God, eternal vision, joy, and endurance. Studying Jesus' responses to life circumstances gives the reader a clearer vision of what it means to be just like Him. Lucado says, "God loves you just the way you are, but refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus."

The author skillfully moves the reader to consider how much better life would be when in constant fellowship with God. He says, "It is a wonderful day indeed when we stop working for God and start working with God."

Lucado's conversational writing style, his humor, and his extensive use of scripture, coupled with analogies from contemporary life, make the reading of profound Christian truths easy to follow, enjoyable, and convincing. The book has a study guide, designed for individual or group study, that accompanies each chapter.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in knowing more about Jesus. The truths presented are a reminder to keep our focus and to allow God to do the reconstruction work necessary to make our hearts "Just Like Jesus."

Max Lucado is a best-selling Christian author who has won numerous Gold Medallion awards for his various books. Two of his most popular are When God Whispers Your Name (1995) and In the Grip of Grace (1997). Lucado is the general editor of the Inspirational Study Bible.

Born in Andrews, Texas, a small west Texas town, Lucado grew up in the Church of Christ. He became a Christian at twenty one. He graduated from Abilene Christian College (now University) in 1977. During one of his summer breaks he traveled to Brazil to help missionaries there. Later he served as a missionary himself.

Lucado ministers at the Oak Hills Church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas, and he is a gifted speaker at Bible conferences and retreats. Additionally, he hosts the "Upwards" radio broadcast.

Lucado and his wife, Denalyn, have three daughters, Jenna, Andrea, and Sara.