This is another devotional by Liz Curtis Higgs. The cover has a lovely design with a flower. She begins her book with an Introduction as to what the book is all about. She spreads her material over eight chapters. Before each chapter, Higgs provides a related quote from historical Christians. Throughout the chapters, Higgs makes generous use of Scripture verses, as is her style. She ends the final chapter with the popular Easter hymn, "Christ the Lord is risen today." She includes a study guide for each of the chapters. The Study guide seems to be meant for either group or individual use. Higgs includes endnotes for each chapter, a Heartfelt Thanks, and an Author Bio. A writer for women, Higgs has written more than thirty books. About 4.6 million copies of her books are available. Among her books are Bad Girls of the Bible, The Girl's Still Got It, The Women of Christmas, her award-winning Parable Treasury for children, and her New York Times bestseller Mine is the Night.
I read this book in its holiday context. It's intended for readers to read and absorb during Lent,which is part of the church calendars in many denominations. And through Easter. I knew, in advance, that the portrayal of these three Marys would be convicting. Jesus' human mom, Mary, Mary of Bethany, and Mary Magdalene (title not a last name), were women portrayed as always faithful to Jesus. Jesus had cast seven demons out of Mary of Magdala. From then on, she loved Jesus without reserve. They loved Him freely, trusted Him without reservation, and followed Him whatever the cost to themselves. I was challenged and convicted throughout this book. Would I have remained with Jesus even as He hung on the cross? Would I have believed when He rose from the dead? Or would I have fled and forsaken Him as the disciples did? Disbelieved those who announced that He rose again? I went through the Bible studies in the back of the book, using them in my quiet times. I'm glad she adds these. I'm considering adding more of Higgs' books to my own library. I was mildly disappointed not to see more material on Jesus' mom, Mary, but I know that this is a seasonal book. And the other two Marys were recorded as playing a bigger part during Jesus' final days. And countless CHristian books have been written about Jesus' mom. Also, because of Higgs' own background, I think she identifies with Mary Magdalene most. During this book, I found myself thinking: These women got to see Jesus, feel Him, and hear His voice! EVen though, as Higgs pointed out, we have it all written down for us, I thought: It's not the same. Ours, as a Bible teacher has pointed out, is a long-distance, unseen relationship, based on faith alone.
The copy I have read is an Advance Reader copy, noted to be an "uncorrected proof." Liz Curtis Higgs directs almost all her writing to her fellow sisters. So I recommend this book for Christian women of all ages. All stages and ages of Christian maturity. As this is a seasonal book, I suggest it for women's Bible study groups during Lent through Easter. Along the same vein, I suggest this for individual Christian women, to use in her Bible study.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Blogging for Books, in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to give a favorable review of this book.
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