3:16: The Numbers of Hope

by Max Lucado

If 9/11 are the numbers of terror and despair, then 3:16 are the numbers of hope. Best-selling author Max Lucado leads readers through a word-by-word study of John 3:16, the passage that he calls the "Hope Diamond" of Scripture. 3:16 will have a large, multi-faceted campaign,

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Religion, Christianity, Faith, Inspirational

240 pages, Paperback

Published February 22, 2008

About the author

With more than 150 million products in print and several NYT bestsellers, Max Lucado is America's bestselling inspirational author. He serves the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy. His most recent book published in August 2024 and is titled What Happens Next.

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Reviews

[TK421 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having religious convictions is difficult to do in the age we live in. Scandals abound. Mega-churches seem to be only after money. And televangelists fake Divine messages through performances best suited as top nominations for The Golden Raspberry. (I mean, c’mon, does that pastor really think that speaking-in-tongues sounds like a miasma of gibberish in the likes I use with my children?)

So it is easy to become cynical. I know. I have. Often.

Still, I try to live my life with a pure heart. I try to be kind. Understanding. Patient. Charitable. Forgiving. It’s not always easy to do. Let me be honest, there are a few people in this world that don’t deserve the oxygen they are stealing from the rest of us.

At church this past Sunday, our pastor spoke about some of the abovementioned and then said there was a free book (donations welcomed) on the back table. The book was 3:16: THE NUMBERS OF HOPE. I don’t normally read religious books. I find them quaint. Or, worse, I find them pedantic and lecturing. I’m not a theologian. I was parochial schooled, and know a few things about the Bible and my faith. But whenever I’ve tried to read religious books they have always come across as demeaning. Who wants to read book that makes you feel like garbage? Not me. So anyways, after the service, I went to the back table and looked at the book. I had heard the name Max Lucado before. Basically, I knew that he had written about a zillion titles. This was another red flag for me. When authors pump out books about religion as often as my family changes favorite restaurants, I become a bit skeptical about the merits of the work.

But, it was free. (I did donate some money.)

We came home and ate lunch and then I sat in my recliner and opened the book. I was pleasantly surprised to read an author not afraid to admit his shortcomings in his own faith. It sounded almost leisurely, as if Max and I were having a conversation in my living room. His use of contemporary examples helped illustrate his arguments, benefitting me in the process.

What he does is this: He takes John 3:16 and dissects it. Not word by word, rather, he takes the verse and looks at it through five or six words grouped together. I have always known the power of this verse. I have always believed in the power of this verse. But as I read, something akin to an awakening happened within me. I began to truly understand and realize just what was being conveyed in those twenty-six words.

Now I’m not going to say that if you don’t read this book, or the Bible for that matter, that you will miss out on some insider information about getting to Heaven. I wish it was that simple. What I will say is this: Take a look at the verse. Read each word. And then group the words into five or six word-length segments. There is a lot of mystery and power there. Contemplate what it all means.

I hope it means something to you. It did for me.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

[Chelsey with a y · Rating 5 out of 5]

really great book. John 3:16 is a verse a lot of people know and sometimes we forgot how powerful it is. this book is great for new and mature christians

[Lc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and refreshing! Love the part when Lucado said about God's love and invitation:

Whoever - includes me, you and all
However - God takes us in however state we are in. No need to clean up.
Whenever - Can call upon His name any time
Wherever - Wherever I am, you are, we are not too far from Home!

No status too low
No hour too late
No place too far
However. Whenever. Wherever.
Whoever includes you, me....forever ----Max Lucado

John 3:16
For God so loved the world
that He gave His ONE and ONLY Son
that Whoever believes in Him
shall not Perish
but have Eternal Live

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never heard Max Lucado preach. But if he preaches half as good as he writes, he must be truly blessed by God.

Lucado's writing brings God's word to life. Not only does he help grasp the meaning of the bible, he has a way of making you see it as if you were experiencing it firsthand!

In 3:16: The Numbers of Hope, Lucado takes the most well-known scripture in the bible and breaks it down piece by piece showing how powerfully deep this seemingly simple verse truly is. John 3:16 is more than just a common verse virtually every kid memorizes at an early age. It's God's plan for mankind in a nutshell!

Excellent book!!

[Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm actually reviewing the "Teen Edition". My Mom wanted to find a good book for a friend's son who is 15 and non-christian, so we went to the Family Christian Bookstore and picked this one up. I've heard Max Lucado is good, but never read his books. I felt bad giving a book to someone when I have no clue if it's even good, encouraging, or for the intended audience, so I decided to read it. Anyways, I'll admit, I don't read much (I know I should read more). I read this 151 page book in one sitting! Go ME!!! =) Anyways, I thought this book was pretty good. It's simple, short, easy read. It goes in detail, one of the greatest verses in the Bible, a verse most of us church-goers have memorized growing up. John 3:16 ... it sums up God's love for us, and what's our future. Max does a great job explaining each segment of the verse, and especially with painting the picture of heaven. It also gives a sort of commentary of 2 "typical" teenagers. The thoughts and prayers of a 16 year old boy from a divorced family, and a 17 year old perfect grew-up in a Christian household girl. Most can relate to either or even both. I don't want to give away too much of the book, but I think we found a winner for the guy!!

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I am not the evangelical, conservative religious type. That doesn't stop me from liking Max Lucado. Max presents the God we would all like to believe in - a God of love, mercy and forgiveness. This isn't your mother's "Sinners in the Hands of Angry God" God. Lucado's God is one this world could use more of.

Lucado still believes in Hell - although he claims he would be happy to be proven wrong - and he probably doesn't support pro-choice initiaves or same sex marriage, (I am just making an Ass out of You and ME, here) given the nature of the evangelical movement and their political agenda in recent years.

But at least with Max it seems to be about the love and not about the Nanny Nanny Boo Boo factor!

[Lizzy Bueckert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favourite verse and I loved this book! I learned some new things about both heaven and hell just because Max said things a bit differently than I've read or heard before. Great book!

[Érika · Rating 5 out of 5]

La narrativa del libro es excelente, de una historia random sale una verdad que sensibiliza y te pone a pensar.
Me encantó cada conclusión y la manera de reforzar mi identidad 💙

[Ericka Clou · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is helpful if you don't know the basic premise of Evangelical Christianity. If you're already an Evangelical, you will probably enjoy this book like a warm hug or comfort food. If you don't fit either of those categories this book probably won't enlighten or persuade you (even if you're looking to be persuaded) as there isn't much substance to it.

[Carole Stallman]

The way the author takes you step by step through the passage of 3-16 and brings it alive is amazing. He is such a master of using every day experiences to walk you through what the verses you are reading really mean.

I have read several of his other books and I am so drawn to them that I can hardly put them down. My spiritual life has taken on a whole new glow that was never present in my life before and I am just basking in that wonderful special feeling of peace within. I give this and all his books 5 stars.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perspective on such a short verse! I really love the way Max Lucado can put a new light on teachings we so often take for granted. I not only refreshed my memory of that verse I memorized so long ago, I also found new and true meaning to what it actually is saying. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about God's deep love for us in spite of all our flaws.

[LemonLinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucado takes probably the most memorized and one of my favorite Bible verses and breaks it down into just what this verse means for our lives. He has a refreshing, modern way of using anecdotes to reinforce his message. Then in the second half of the book he includes forth daily inspiring mini-stories many of which I marked for emphasis to reread.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started me on a spiritual journey that I hope never ends...ask me about John 3:16 in my life.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Factual and touching. Lucado has an amazing gift for balance. Easy read for anyone.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Without hope, the fear of death is overwhelming. But as Christians, the Bible verse John 3:16 assures us that there is everlasting life - and this promise alone should give all of us hope at the time of death.” - Kenneth Cooper, M.D., M.P.H.

A twenty-six word parade of hope: beginning with God, ending with life, and urging us to do the same. Brief enough to write on a napkin or memorize in a moment, yet solid enough to weather two thousand years of storms and questions. We all need its reminder. The heart of the human problem is the heart of the human. And God’s treatment is prescribed in the heart-stilling, mind-bending claim of John 3:16.
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
John 3:16
He loved. He gave. We believe. We live.
5 stars

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

In typical Lucado fashion, the author paints an incredible word picture of the most famous verse in the Bible. ("God helps those who help themselves" is not found anywhere in the Bible, even though this is more popular and often-quoted than John 3:16.) Almighty God made His love abundantly clear through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, the Lord Jesus. Each of us faces an eternity either in Heaven or Hell. Eternal life spent in the Kingdom of Heaven is ours for the asking. Which will it be?

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

No matter how many times you have read through the bible or heard the story of Jesus it is always good to come back to the center. This book takes apart John 3:16 and explains the verse in detail. Then it goes through the life of Jesus in 40 devotionals. I loved this book and it really moved me because it once again reminded me how great God's love is for us when he gave his son so we could live.
The easy language and yet direct way of writing makes this a perfect gift for someone who is on the search or "dipping their feet in" and is trying to understand what Christianity is about.

[Krystal Chittenden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an early copy of this book by the launch team. This book is a revised and updated version of Max’s book, 3:16 The Numbers of Hope. I had not read the first version, so I cannot comment on if the revisions and updates are beneficial, but, this was another hopeful read from Max. I recommend this book for those wondering what it means to believe in Jesus or needing to be reminded what it means and the why behind each of the words of John 3:16. This book is for teens and adults. I really liked the way each chapter reviewed and supported a word of the verse/a word of God. The book also has a nice 40 Day review of what Jesus has done for us and the daily reminder and call to believe. This was a great addition at the end of the book and could be used as a daily devotional for 40 days. I would recommend this book to anyone curious about Christ and living in faith. Enjoy and be filled with hope.

[Shelley Marushak Langelaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of Max Lucado and I find that his books are easy to read and easy to understand. This review is for the recently updated version of 3:16. I have not read the original version so I am not able to compare the two. Max takes a scripture that most Christians have heard plenty of times and breaks it down with wisdom that gives the reader a greater understanding of God’s love. I admire the way Max can bring such a personal and relatable experience to the reader. Even if you have been a believer for years - it’s been over 25 years for me - you will still find comfort, peace and greater understanding from reading this book. With the recent events happening in our world you will find that reading this book will help you find peace yet again. I very much appreciated the devotional part of the back at the end. It led me through the live of Jesus and drew me into an even closer relationship with Him. I highly recommend this book to both new Christians and ones who have known the Lord for awhile.

I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and opinion.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audience for this book is the non-believer or someone who is teetering on whether or not to believe. The first half of this book is all about John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." The second half of this book is a 40-day devotional (which I read in a few days).

Here are a couple quotes that mean a lot to me:

"You need not win his love. You already have it. And since you can't win it, you can't lose it."

And most of all, "You can't fix you. Look to Jesus...and believe."

[Kariuki Njiru · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the foundational verse of the Christian faith. Max Lucado has done somewhat justice to the verse. However compared to other works by the same author, this book falls a little bit short.

The upside of the book is that Max manages to deliver of how the verse is still relevant.

[Beth Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this updated version of a previously published book as part of an online study. I always enjoy the way Lucado writes. He is quite a story teller, but the stories always illustrate a point made in scripture. Each chapter almost stands alone, so there is something important in each one.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a devotional over Lent. Very nice. Perfect for new Christians.

[Randy Grossman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief synopsis of the author's thoughts regarding John 3:16...one of the most well known verses of the Bible. I have no reason to argue his thoughts. I appreciated one chapter that emphasized the differences of the teaching of Jesus through the Bible alongside several other world religions (pages 25-28). Basically brother Lucado concludes they cannot ALL be correct. His uses the airline industry to emphasize his point. Not all flights lead to Rome...Not all religions lead to the same destination as well. Made sense to me.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review of the new edition released 2/1/2022
Max Lucado has once again written a captivating book that is easy to understand and gets to the heart of the matter in an engaging way. If you’re not familiar with John 3:16, get yourself a copy of this book and find out what it’s all about. If you memorized this verse when you were 3 years old and think you know the story, get yourself a copy of this book and see it all through new eyes. It was the perfect way to start this year with new perspective on just how much God loves us. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much better than I expected. This is the first Max Lucado book I have read. Although I am a Christian, I tend to shy away from books that for whatever reason, I perceive to be the equivalent of "pop psychology" of the Christian world- i.e. those with the glossy covers that are highly marketed, authors that have a gazillion titles that merely appear to be the same book with a different name, etc. Whether that is an accurate perception or not, I've lumped Lucado in that category. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It dissects John 3:16 and explains each word in the verse. This might be a good book for seekers or new believers. It's scriptural, yet not overly preachy or intimidating. It's serious, yet Lucado adds enough levity and real-world analogy to be accessible and palatable to a wide audience.

[Amie · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's nothing heretical here, but there's also very little substance, in my opinion. It's nice and fluffy, probably a good introduction for new Christians (or curious non-Christians, I suppose), but nothing of it has stuck with me-- except for some of his descriptions of heaven and the life eternal which are more earthy and more appealling than those that are usually given. Overall, nothing wrong with it but nothing amazing, either.

[Lori Jorgensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you ever hopeless? Has life kicked you down? Have you ever felt unloved, not good enough? Ever felt like nothing and no one can help you? Then grab this book and learn about the greatest love story ever told. Max will make feel like you crawled into your grandpa’s lap and he telling you the best story ever!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was mind blowing, It taught me alot of basic things about God, about the whole objective of sending His son to earth. It really magnified the gospel in me. 3:16 isn't just some corny verse anymore. It's my strong tower, my grip of grace now.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first time reading a Max Lucado book in quite a while...but I enjoyed it!