Product Description

The wood. The thorns. The nails. Christ's sacrifice has defined the very essence of mankind's faith for the past 2000 years. And now, Max Lucado invites you to examine the cross, contemplate its purpose, and celebrate its significance with He Chose the Nails. With his warm, caring style, Max examines the symbols surrounding Christ's crucifixion, revealing the claims of the cross and asserting that if they are true, then Christianity itself is true. The supporting evidence either makes the cross the single biggest hoax of all time, or the hope of all humanity. More than a book, the campaign includes the first stand-alone workbook, leaders guide, and video package from Max, as well as a praise & worship CD from Here to Him music featuring several of today's favorite Christian artists.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1228579 in Books
• Published on: 2000-08-15
• Format: Bargain Price
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 240 pages

Amazon.com Review
Reading a Max Lucado book is as comfortable as having coffee and conversation with a close friend. He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart is signature Lucado: warm, conversational storytelling blended with scripture, humor, and vulnerability.

Lucado invites us to understand the symbols surrounding Christ's crucifixion and celebrate the significance of the promises they offer. From the sign in different languages tacked to the cross ("I will speak to you in your language") to the burial clothing ("I can turn your tragedy into triumph"), he speaks of each symbol as a "gift of grace" that reveals God's love for mankind.

Lucado takes us to Calvary and shows us our sins nailed between the hand of Jesus and the cross. "You've made some bad choices in life, haven't you," writes Lucado. "You've chosen the wrong friends, maybe the wrong career, even the wrong spouse. You look back over your life and say, 'If only I could make up for those bad choices.' You can. One good choice for eternity offsets a thousand bad ones on earth. The choice is yours."

Whether he's bantering around phrases like "the hall monitors of holiness" or crafting a deeper expository on the crown of thorns, Lucado neatly balances the task of making his words accessible to a broad audience while delivering a meaty message on God's greatest sacrifice. Pick up this insightful read, and you'll be glad you made the choice. --Cindy Crosby

From Publishers Weekly
Lucado's understated homiletical style has propelled sales of more than 15 million books and made him the first author to win three Gold Medallion awards for Christian Book of the Year (Just Like Jesus, 1999; In the Grip of Grace, 1997; and When God Whispers Your Name, 1995). His loyal following will in no way be disappointed with this latest offering, which focuses on the "gifts" of the cross, including the soldiers' spit, the crown of thorns, the nails, the wine-soaked sponge, the burial garments and Pilate's sign identifying Jesus as the King of the Jews. Each of these tragic objects teaches Christians something about the nature of God, says Lucado. The wine-soaked sponge, for example, offered when Jesus spoke of his thirst while dying on the cross, demonstrates how God through Jesus took on the entire human experience, complete with its suffering. "To take on our sins is one thing, but to take on our sunburns, our sore throats? To experience death, yesDbut to put up with life?" God did this so that his followers would fully trust him, Lucado explains, and know that their pain was understood. Lucado uses good humor and everyday situations (such as coping with road rage) to bring his points home. His skill in highlighting even the smallest detail of the crucifixion scene will prove an epiphany for many readers. (Aug.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Max Lucado, senior minister for the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, is the husband of Denalyn and father of Jenna, Andrea, and Sara. He currently has more than 40 million books in print and is America's Leading Inspirational Author.

Customer Reviews

What God did to win your heart
Not since Robert Folghum (It was on fire when I lay down on it) have I read anything by anyone who could find so much meaning and depth in the seemingly ordinary.Max Lucado (Pronouneced Lu- KAY doh not Lu-KAH-doh He wrote an intresting chapter on this) uses ordinary events to illustrate and explain biblical concepts in simple and easly understood ways.He also has some fascinating insights in to the crucifcation of Jesus. Every detail of the crusifiction is explained with amazing clarity, from the crown of thorns and the inscription above his head to the burial and reserection. The only problem I had with this book was it's brevity the book can easily be read in less then five hours leaving the reader wanting more. The last fifty pages or so are a kind of study guide for the book. I would have preferred an extra fifty pages of Mr. lucado's insights than a chapter by chapter study guide. All in all though this is an excellent book for all christian and contains some useful insights and humor.

A Heart Felt - Easy Read
Max Lucado turns out Christian books like Stephen King writes novels - often. It is no wonder that he could arguably be one of the most proliftic Christian writers in the last few years. I am not really a fan of Lucado's work. Not becasue he isn't a skilled writer, but instead, because I enjoy more apologetic type material (if and when I'm not reading my deeply moving and insightful Batman comics). This new book, "He Chose The Nails", is probably his best work since "In The Grip of Grace."

This book is heart felt and honest. In writing it, Max often refers to the lessons he has learned in life, and then makes a great parable for the reader. This is always his strength - his ability to communicate to just about anyone who is willing to listen. His points and lessons are well made. He is funny, honest, as well as hopeful and sad. In a quick two hours, the reader, approaching this material in a spirit of openness, will expierence many emotions: hope, loss, joy, sadness, laughter, and peace.

This book is an outstanding read. Pastor Lucado's style is easy, yet, insightful. He gets right to the point and draws on a vast-array of expierence and stories to guide the reader to his conclusions. No mis-interpretation about the thesis or conclusion here. The opening, middle and end-game are skillfully woven into a heart felt, deeply moving read.

Always Outstanding!!!!
I just finished reading this book and Max Lucado, as always, has written another outstanding book. He analyzes the symbolism of the three crosses, the nails and the actual crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. His use of imagery in the book is second to none as you feel as if you were actually present during the actual event. I have walked away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for what God chose to do for me (and you) because of His love. You MUST read this book!