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The One Jesus Loves: Grace Is Unconditionally Given, Intimacy Must Be Relentlessly Pursued
How close can we get to Jesus? How close do youwant to get? Six circles of relationship formed around Jesus in his time on earth. In theoutermost circle, the Crowds who were curious. Next, the Five Thousand who wereneedy, while the Seventy worked and served in Jesus’ ministry; then came theTwelve who walked with Jesus, the Three who suffered and celebrated with him,and finally the One who sat beside him at the Last Supper. Jesus’ closestfollower listened more closely than any other, and recognized the Savior whenno one else did. Scripture promises if youmove closer to God, he will move closer to you. Wherever you are in yourpursuit of Christ, you can draw closer still. In The One Jesus Loves , youwill learn about each of the six circles, and what it takes to move further in,closer and closer to Jesus. Which circle are you intoday? Jesus is calling you closer. "After reading The OneJesus Loves , you’ll not only understand how to deepen your relationshipwith God by drawing closer into His ‘circle of intimacy,’ you’ll also see howbecoming a closer follower of Christ can improve every other relationship inyour life." ―Mark Batterson, author of The Circle Maker and lead pastor of National CommunityChurch “This book itself will be a gift to you. Robert Crosby has notjust studied the costly grace of Jesus; he's lived it. This grace is a pool offathomless depths. The deeper we go, the more healing we find.” ―John Ortberg,author of Who Is This Man? andsenior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2014
24 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 31, 2014
In John’s gospel, John refers to himself as the ‘one that Jesus loved.’ He was also one of the Zebedee boys–the ‘Sons of Thunder’ whose mother asked that they sit on Jesus right and left side when he comes into his kingdom. Far from being outright rebuked for their power grab, Jesus wanted to make sure that they had counted the cost. Robert Crosby begins The One That Jesus Loves by reflecting on John and James’ mother’s ‘outrageous request.’ But his purpose is to encourage us to press into our relationship with Christ, always reaching for more intimacy.
So in forty pithy chapters, Crosby explores the rings of relationship which form around Jesus. The crowds are curious. The five thousand are a needy bunch who come because they are fed. The seventy are those whom Christ commissions as co-workers. The twelve shared life with Jesus for three years, the three celebrated an suffered with Jesus (on the mount of Transfiguration and the garden of Gethsemane. Finally the one laid his head on Jesus breast on the last supper, and was the only one to stick with him through the crucifixion and the one that records Jesus words when he calls us friends.
This is a devotional book, and not a commentary and so lacks some exegetical precision. Crosby uses the social circles of Jesus evocatively to draw us into deeper relationship with Him. Certainly these aren’t the only circles around Jesus. Crosby could have included ‘the four thousand,’ the more than 500 brothers he appeared to after his resurrection (1 Cor. 15:6), the 120 believers who were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 1:15), the women who accompanied and supported the Twelve in Jesus ministry and mission (Luke 8:1-3), or the four (Peter, James, and John plus Andrew) who ask him about the destruction of the Temple and the end of the age, etc. I would be careful in drawing the lines of these circles too strongly. This was a semi-permeable web of relationships and people around Jesus were always invited to something more. As Crosby notes, even the twelve had a Judas and ‘in the twelve we are doing one of two things: we are following or falling back’ (179).
I applaud this book for focusing on cultivating deeper intimacy with Jesus. Crosby will make you want to press in, to be closer to Christ and whatever ring you find yourself in, you will hear the voice of Jesus inviting you to more. The short chapters make it ideal for personal devotional reading, but he does include conversation starters at the back of the book for use with small groups or in one-on-one discipleship. I give this book three stars: ★★★
Notice of material connection I recieved this book for the purposes of review. I was not asked to write a positive review but an honest one.
So in forty pithy chapters, Crosby explores the rings of relationship which form around Jesus. The crowds are curious. The five thousand are a needy bunch who come because they are fed. The seventy are those whom Christ commissions as co-workers. The twelve shared life with Jesus for three years, the three celebrated an suffered with Jesus (on the mount of Transfiguration and the garden of Gethsemane. Finally the one laid his head on Jesus breast on the last supper, and was the only one to stick with him through the crucifixion and the one that records Jesus words when he calls us friends.
This is a devotional book, and not a commentary and so lacks some exegetical precision. Crosby uses the social circles of Jesus evocatively to draw us into deeper relationship with Him. Certainly these aren’t the only circles around Jesus. Crosby could have included ‘the four thousand,’ the more than 500 brothers he appeared to after his resurrection (1 Cor. 15:6), the 120 believers who were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 1:15), the women who accompanied and supported the Twelve in Jesus ministry and mission (Luke 8:1-3), or the four (Peter, James, and John plus Andrew) who ask him about the destruction of the Temple and the end of the age, etc. I would be careful in drawing the lines of these circles too strongly. This was a semi-permeable web of relationships and people around Jesus were always invited to something more. As Crosby notes, even the twelve had a Judas and ‘in the twelve we are doing one of two things: we are following or falling back’ (179).
I applaud this book for focusing on cultivating deeper intimacy with Jesus. Crosby will make you want to press in, to be closer to Christ and whatever ring you find yourself in, you will hear the voice of Jesus inviting you to more. The short chapters make it ideal for personal devotional reading, but he does include conversation starters at the back of the book for use with small groups or in one-on-one discipleship. I give this book three stars: ★★★
Notice of material connection I recieved this book for the purposes of review. I was not asked to write a positive review but an honest one.
October 19, 2018
A great book about how our intimacy with Jesus matches the different groups in the Bible; the crowd, the 5000, the 70 disciples, the 12 apostles, the 3 who were closest to Jesus (John, James, and Peter), and the one Jesus loved-John. It's a book about drawing closer to Christ. Helpful and enlightening.
April 28, 2014
About the Book:
The felt need of most Christians is the desire to grow closer in relationship with God. In "The One Jesus Loves," Bob Crosby shows readers how to deepen their personal relationship with God by considering Jesus' "circles of intimacy"--especially those who walked closest to him.
All of us want to feel connected, a part of the circles in which we run. We don't want to feel like the odd man out. Jesus had an inner circle. As a matter of fact, he had several circles of relationships around him. While many filled the outermost rings of spectator and acquaintance, only a few followed all the way to the most intimate places.
Jesus was constantly and winsomely working to bring people closer to himself, calling them out of the far reaches and toward the inner circles. This was his passion. In an age that is desperate for God, how do we press in to become like the two disciples who asked if they could sit right next to Jesus, at his right and at his left?
Can we join God's inner circle? How can we make sure that we are on the closer path?
About the Author:
Dr. Robert C. Crosby is a conference speaker, writer, and pastoral leader. He has pastored churches in New York, Boston, and Ohio and served as a university vice president. He is the professor of practical theology at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. He writes for Christianity Today, Patheos.com, Leadership Journal and the Huffington Post. He and his wife, Pamela, are the founders of Teaming Church Conferences and Resources.
My Review:
Many believers start out on their journey at a pinnacle point, the point of "the beginning." There is a freshness and newness at the beginning that many times over and throughout our walk can not ever be duplicated or done again, probably because it is like a "honeymoon" period. While that moment is such a precious time of learning and getting close to our Saviour is is something that is quickly diminished and we must be looking onward and upward to gain a closer look and feel of our Lord.
Robert Crosby, describes 6 "Rings of the Lord" or "Circles of Christ", these our described as rings or circles around of relationship to Jesus. Those rings are listed below:
1) The Crowds
2) The Five Thousand
3) The Seventy (sometimes described as Seventy-Two)
4) The Twelve
5)The Three
6) The One
Each of these are described in detail by who they were and what their relationship was to Jesus and how each helped or hindered the process of gaining followers. The One Jesus Loves, is an excellent commentary that will cause you to dig deeper to desire that closeness, that oneness that we all should desire from Him.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Book Look.
The felt need of most Christians is the desire to grow closer in relationship with God. In "The One Jesus Loves," Bob Crosby shows readers how to deepen their personal relationship with God by considering Jesus' "circles of intimacy"--especially those who walked closest to him.
All of us want to feel connected, a part of the circles in which we run. We don't want to feel like the odd man out. Jesus had an inner circle. As a matter of fact, he had several circles of relationships around him. While many filled the outermost rings of spectator and acquaintance, only a few followed all the way to the most intimate places.
Jesus was constantly and winsomely working to bring people closer to himself, calling them out of the far reaches and toward the inner circles. This was his passion. In an age that is desperate for God, how do we press in to become like the two disciples who asked if they could sit right next to Jesus, at his right and at his left?
Can we join God's inner circle? How can we make sure that we are on the closer path?
About the Author:
Dr. Robert C. Crosby is a conference speaker, writer, and pastoral leader. He has pastored churches in New York, Boston, and Ohio and served as a university vice president. He is the professor of practical theology at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. He writes for Christianity Today, Patheos.com, Leadership Journal and the Huffington Post. He and his wife, Pamela, are the founders of Teaming Church Conferences and Resources.
My Review:
Many believers start out on their journey at a pinnacle point, the point of "the beginning." There is a freshness and newness at the beginning that many times over and throughout our walk can not ever be duplicated or done again, probably because it is like a "honeymoon" period. While that moment is such a precious time of learning and getting close to our Saviour is is something that is quickly diminished and we must be looking onward and upward to gain a closer look and feel of our Lord.
Robert Crosby, describes 6 "Rings of the Lord" or "Circles of Christ", these our described as rings or circles around of relationship to Jesus. Those rings are listed below:
1) The Crowds
2) The Five Thousand
3) The Seventy (sometimes described as Seventy-Two)
4) The Twelve
5)The Three
6) The One
Each of these are described in detail by who they were and what their relationship was to Jesus and how each helped or hindered the process of gaining followers. The One Jesus Loves, is an excellent commentary that will cause you to dig deeper to desire that closeness, that oneness that we all should desire from Him.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Book Look.
March 18, 2014
“Grace is unconditionally given, intimacy must be relentlessly pursued.”
How close are we to Jesus? Robert Crosby explores this question in an extensive study of different friendship circles. Jesus had many followers, but only a chosen few were in his inner circle. Most Christians would admit that they’d like to achieve a deeper relationship with their Savior but perhaps don’t know how to get to the place where Peter, James & John were.
Through guidance & life stories, we’re shown not only how it’s done, but how to do it for ourselves. Experience the joy that only Jesus can bring by learning to cultivate a true friendship with Him instead of seeing him simply as the Omnipotent God. Beautifully written, ‘The One Jesus Loves’ will stir your heart with stories from Scripture of those who moved circles to be closer to Jesus. Putting these words into practice will provide readers with the type of intimacy that they’ve wanted all along.
What makes this book strike home is the passion with which it was written. You can feel Robert Crosby’s heart in every observation & word. The more you read the more you realize that not only does the author experience this level with the Savior, but he really wants us to be able to do the same. He writes with honesty even when it’s self-deprecating & shares ways to challenge our hearts for the better. There’s not an ounce of holier-than-thou in our author.
If you’re seeking to deepen your Christian walk & consume a mega-dose of God’s Word, than ‘The One Jesus Loves’ should be on you reading list. You’ll come away stronger & wiser. Absolutely a 5 star piece!
Visit: www.onejesusloves.com & www.teaminglife.com
I received an eBook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
How close are we to Jesus? Robert Crosby explores this question in an extensive study of different friendship circles. Jesus had many followers, but only a chosen few were in his inner circle. Most Christians would admit that they’d like to achieve a deeper relationship with their Savior but perhaps don’t know how to get to the place where Peter, James & John were.
Through guidance & life stories, we’re shown not only how it’s done, but how to do it for ourselves. Experience the joy that only Jesus can bring by learning to cultivate a true friendship with Him instead of seeing him simply as the Omnipotent God. Beautifully written, ‘The One Jesus Loves’ will stir your heart with stories from Scripture of those who moved circles to be closer to Jesus. Putting these words into practice will provide readers with the type of intimacy that they’ve wanted all along.
What makes this book strike home is the passion with which it was written. You can feel Robert Crosby’s heart in every observation & word. The more you read the more you realize that not only does the author experience this level with the Savior, but he really wants us to be able to do the same. He writes with honesty even when it’s self-deprecating & shares ways to challenge our hearts for the better. There’s not an ounce of holier-than-thou in our author.
If you’re seeking to deepen your Christian walk & consume a mega-dose of God’s Word, than ‘The One Jesus Loves’ should be on you reading list. You’ll come away stronger & wiser. Absolutely a 5 star piece!
Visit: www.onejesusloves.com & www.teaminglife.com
I received an eBook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
July 2, 2015
I enjoyed this book, it really made me think about my own personal walk with Christ. I do recommend.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews