John R. Cross, The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus Review

Overall Rating

One of the best experiences of my life happened while reading The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus (which I shall hereafter refer to as Stranger). Granted I read it in less than twenty-four hours with my youth group during a bible study we called Stranger 24; regardless I walked away with a better understanding of the Bible and the Lord's plan.

Unlike most devotionals or books about the Bible that take a closer look at a particular book, or even verse of the Bible, Stranger takes a step back to look at the overall "BIG" message of the Bible. Cross excellently abridges the Bible, including all the basic stories you've known growing up, but making sure to include their importance in 'The message of God', while also including some lesser known tales. While taking a step back, Cross also takes a step forward and delves into the purpose and significance of every tale, linking them all to The message.

You walk away from the book with a deeper understanding of the history before Christ's coming, the significance of sacrifices and burnt offerings, and the prophecies of the Lord's coming of the Old Testament, and also the lack of them in the New Testament. You learn why the Lord sent Jesus, why Jesus died for our sins, and why He was called "the Lamb of God."

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone needing to regain that basic understanding of Christ's sacrifice and The message of the Lord in the Bible, why it is His word, and why we need to know it. Stranger is an excellent reminder of the overall message of God's undying love for us.