It’s easy for me to look forward to Easter so much that I feel impatient with Lent. Nancy Guthrie, author, grief counselor, and Bible teacher, understands. She was concerned that many of us miss out on the full significance of Easter when we fail to contemplate the cross. Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter (Crossway), which she edited, is the result. It is a fine compilation of the work of twenty-five Christian thinkers, classic and contemporary, that can help us slow down and prepare our hearts by considering the cross.

The book begins with Martin Luther’s “True Contemplation of the Cross,” which makes the case that identifying with Christ’s sufferings will change our hearts and show us our sin. Beginning with Jesus setting His face to go to Jerusalem, through His death and resurrection, His final days with His followers, and His ascension, teachers like John Piper, Alastair Begg, J. I. Packer, Saint Augustine, and Francis Schaeffer offer insights that resonate with the Bible and the Creeds.

C. J. Mahaney tells of the cup of God’s wrath that Jesus quailed at, sweating blood, and asking his Father three times for another way. Jesus laid down His will for His Father’s. For us.

Adrian Rogers examines the Lord’s silence before His accusers. J. C. Ryle details His sufferings so we might learn to hate our sin and see God’s love. John MacArthur tells of Jesus’ real-time forgiveness at the cross and Philip Graham Ryken how Jesus was God-forsaken for us.
Jonathan Edwards shows that Jesus not only satisfied justice on the cross, but offered up His life as a sweet-smelling sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2). Raymond C. Ortland, Jr. tells us the most important word in the universe. (Are you curious?)

Tim Keller stresses the importance of a real resurrection, while Joni Eareckson Tada speaks as only she can in “Sharing His Sufferings,” based on Philippians 3:10. Finally, Stephen F. Olford closes with “Crucified with Christ.”

There is a thoughtful progression in the choices and order of these writings. Each played a part in teaching me, softening (maybe even breaking) my heart, and helping me see the old, old story anew.

Nancy Guthrie has done her work well—there is a wealth of wisdom here. I love that she dedicated the book to her Sunday school teacher, Estelle Teeter, telling her, “You made me want to love Jesus like you do.” Jesus is central to every reading in this book. I plan to read it again before Easter.

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