He Chose the Nails

He Chose the Nails, by Max Lucado (LUH-KAY-DO….read the book and you’ll understand the pronunciation assistance) has produced a rather interesting look at Christ’s death. He unpacks the different elements of the crucifixion – the nails, crown of thorns, garments, ridicule, etc. – and explains their importance for the Christian. He digs into the minutiae of the event which we are guilty of overlooking due to familiarity with the story. I enjoyed this read because Lucado has a wonderful gift of turning a nice phrase – what I call a “snippet statement” – and that ability forces them into your memory. As an example, read chapter 14 because this entire chapter is one of these “snippet statements.” These wonderful phrases are the delight of the book and reveal his ability to convert complexity into simplicity. My only complaint is the size of the book. As quotable as Lucado is, I would love to have seen more depth in the analysis of these implements. Bringing in historical context of these items would have added much more to his overall goal. The book is only 151 pages, but it, in fact, is much less. The actual text starts on page 3. Further, the transition between chapters takes at least 2 pages (and sometimes 3); therefore, the actual text, with its 15 pages, hovers around 120 pages. I do understand this was a light treatment, but I simply craved more depth because the author piqued my interest. I do like how the book was ended – with study questions for each chapter. These allow the reader to dig further into Scripture and to go beyond what Lucado placed into his short chapters. Overall, the book is accessible, easy to read, interesting, and worth your efforts at reading. It will take you no time at all to breeze through He Chose the Nails; however, I suggest two readings. The first would be a quick read to cover the breadth of the book. The second read, however, should be more deliberate and slow. I encourage you to use this as a 15 day devotional prior to Easter and to couple it with the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”