Max Lucado’s “On Calvary’s Hill” - Review

The Easter story is one we hear every year. Whether we have grown up in the church or not, at some point in our lives we have more then likely heard or read of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion. It is a beautiful story of sacrificial love, with twists of betrayal, suffering, defeat, and victory.

Characters grow from faithful followers around a table to complexities. Kisses and sleep betray, a thief finds forgiveness while a friend jumps to his death, death is defeated, God’s wrath is appeased, and the world is turned upside down.

Jesus Christ and his gift of salvation has inspired literature and art ever since. It is a story that never grows old. We find his influence in Hemingway and C.S. Lewis, in Superman and Dr. Who. Wether we believe the scripture’s telling of Christ’s crucifixion or not we can not deny the influence it has had in our world since it’s first telling.

Family Christian sent me a copy of On Calvary's Hill: 40 Readings for the Easter Season in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Max Lucado in “On Calvary’s Hill” does what Max Lucado does best. He tells the story in a relatable beautiful way. He paints the characters and themes of the crucifixion into 40 short readings that resonate with the reader. Lucado inserts the world of Christ into ours making it clear and relevant. He leaves you thinking “how would I have responded if I were John, the Centurion, the betrayer, the one who found the empty tomb?”

I love Easter and the opportunities it brings to focus more clearly on the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. His story of redemption is one I live and try to understand every day. There are so many complexities in scripture that shape who we are, what we think, and how we relate with one another. The season of lent allows us to focus more clearly on the events that led to our salvation. It is a reminder once a year of what was done for us. It is grace. There is nothing I could have done to deserve what Christ gave for me. It is a reminder. No matter how many mistakes I have made he offered salvation to the thief. It is a reminder. Even when I get my theology wrong he offers forgiveness and still loves me. It is a gift.

“On Calvary’s Hill” is a great resource to use in private devotion or as a family devotional. It is written in a way that children will understand and to spur deeper thoughts and reflections.