1. When Jesus Wept, The Jerusalem Chronicles Series #1
    Bodie Thoene, Brock Thoene
    Zondervan / 2013 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$12.99 Retail Price$16.99 Save 24% ($4.00)
    4.6 out of 5 stars for When Jesus Wept, The Jerusalem Chronicles Series #1. View reviews of this product. 30 Reviews
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    Stock No: WW335931
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Displaying items 21-25 of 30
  1. alwaysreading
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    April 4, 2013
    alwaysreading
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    When Jesus Wept is the first book in Brock and Bodie Thoene's new series The Jerusalem Chronicles. The authors have once again taken a passage of scripture, in this case John 15: 1-6 specifically vs 1 & 2, and created a story around them.

    The story line itself is written over the three year ministry of Jesus Christ which I did find a bit challenging throughout the book but not so much as it was distracting. While Jesus is not in every chapter, the Thoene's have woven Him into the story at the appropriate times along with a vast amount of His teaching scripture.

    David ben Lazarus is our central character and a expert winemaker. He has spent his whole life tending his vast vineyards. Over the course of the three years, Jesus spends time with Lazarus walking the rows of grapes and teaching Lazarus lessons on both this life and the life to come based on what Lazarus knows about tending the grape vines. I thought that this was really expertly done, because Jesus always relates to us in the things and ways that we understand best.

    Mary, Lazarus sister, was written as her being Mary the adulterous woman. Now if this is biblical or not I'm not sure, but I liked what they did with her after her encounter with Jesus. I thought it was well thought out and could very well have happened. Martha was written true to character also.

    I love the book, it is very powerful, extremely well researched and written. Once you get into it, it is very hard to put down. If you are familiar with any of these authors books, this is as well done as anything they have ever written.
  2. Carole Jarvis
    Jonesboro, Georgia
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Inspirational biblical fiction
    May 17, 2013
    Carole Jarvis
    Jonesboro, Georgia
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Before he called me forth from the grave, Jesus wept. . . . Jesus groaned, and the heads of angels and saints turned to look down upon the earth in wonder.

    Thus begins When Jesus Wept, book #1 in "The Jerusalem Chronicles" by Bodie and Brock Thoene. Taking what little is known about Lazarus from the Scriptures, they skillfully use their biblical knowledge and imagination to weave a moving narrative of what-could-have-been against the backdrop of political unrest at the time.

    Summary

    Lazarus . . . The man Jesus raised from the dead in one of the most extraordinary encounters with the living Savior in all of Scripture. But the life of Lazarus holds interest well beyond this miraculous event. Living in Bethany, near Jerusalem, Lazarus witnessed many of the most important events of Jesus' life and ministry. Lazarus owned a vineyard and devoted his life to caring for its vines and fruit. But he encountered another man - Jesus - whose vineyard was the world, its fruit the eternal souls of men.

    My thoughts

    This novel is extremely well researched, and that alone adds much depth and interest to the narrative. In fact, one of its strengths is how vividly it shows the greed, lust for power, political turmoil and danger of the times. Most of the words that Jesus spoke were taken straight from the Scriptures and indicated by footnote. And I loved seeing how the Jewish people sung or chanted passages from the Psalms as they traveled to celebrate feast days. Their familiarity with and memorization of Scripture was inspirational.

    Scripture doesn't indicate what occupation Lazarus had, so he is portrayed as a highly respected vineyard owner - and the themes of cultivating grapes, pruning, wine making, and Jesus as the vine are prominent throughout. It is interesting to see Lazarus interact with familiar characters such as John the Baptist, Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus.

    One questionable aspect is that the authors identify Mary of Bethany, Mary Magdalene, and the unnamed woman caught in adultery as one and the same. While some commentators take this position, it is not universally held as being accurate. But when it comes to biblical fiction, I remind myself that it is exactly that - fiction - and find inspiration in these characters and events during Christ's ministry.

    The story is told through the voice of Lazarus, which could be why the character of Martha wasn't fleshed out at all. Reviews are subjective, so other people will have different opinions, but I didn't feel a strong connection with Lazarus or sense the close relationship he had with Jesus.

    One of my favorite parts was the scene in heaven during the four days Lazarus was in the grave - a reunion, but also a glimpse at what was to come. In the words of Lazarus: "I stood in wonder in the midst of the ancient ones as they spoke of what was, what is, and what will be. Love. Envy. Rejection. Betrayal. Suffering. Victory. Exultation. Reunion. Forgiveness. Salvation. Restoration. Deliverance." And then, after being called forth from the tomb, "Of all those who witnessed my return from the vineyards of heaven to fallen earth, only Jesus knew what joy and beauty I had left behind."

    I enjoyed When Jesus Wept overall and am eager to read more books by this talented husband and wife team. Recommended to those who enjoy inspirational biblical fiction.

    For more information, visit the Bodie and Brook's website at thoenebooks.com.

    This book was provided by Zondervan through the BookSneeze program in exchange for my honest review.
  3. R.jill Teske
    East , TN
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    December 5, 2013
    R.jill Teske
    East , TN
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    I love Bodie Thoene books. This one did not disappoint. e-books are fun.
  4. Tammi
    maine
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    When Jesus Wept
    April 4, 2013
    Tammi
    maine
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This is my husband's review of When Jesus Wept by Bodie and Brock Thoene.

    When being given a chance to read an historical fiction novel authored by the Thoene's, I always jump at the chance. Their previous works of the Shiloh Legacy, Zion Covenant and Zion Chronicles series are THE BEST historical novels I have ever read!

    Please keep in mind when reading this novel that it is fiction. While some events are clearly expressed in scripture, other events and character interpretations are implied by the authors' creative literary license. One does not want to base Theology on a novel surrounding and including Biblical events.

    The story revolves around David Ben Lazarus, owner of some splendid vineyards in Bethany, and his relationships with his family, friends, and colleagues. His entire life soon becomes transformed when he encounters the Master Teacher Jesus of Nazareth and is drawn to His ministry and friendship.

    While I disagreed with the author's portrayal of one character, this did not keep me from being drawn into the life and times of the people in the novel and the events of the day.

    The beautiful parable used by Jesus as he speaks of being the True Vine to Lazarus, a vineyard owner, alone is worth reading this book.

    As usual, the Thoene's are able to take history's events and lessons, and make them applicable to us today with another wonderful work of historical fiction.

    **When Jesus Wept by Bodie and Brock Thoene was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.
  5. GDad
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Easy to read
    December 21, 2018
    GDad
    Book is well written providing an interesting take on a biblical story adding verses to enhance the story telling. Enjoyed reading it.
Displaying items 21-25 of 30