Beautiful Outlaw

Reading the Gospels without knowing the personality of Jesus is like watching television with the sound turned off. The effect is a dry, two-dimensional person saying strange, undecipherable things. But when we discover his true character-this man who made the wind, music, and flying squirrels-suddenly all of the remarkable qualities of Jesus burst forth with color and brilliance like fireworks. In the author's winsome, narrative approach, he breaks Jesus out of the typical stereotypes, just as he set masculinity free in his book, Wild at Heart. By uncovering the real Jesus, listeners are welcomed into the rich heart of Jesus Christ. "We need Jesus like we need oxygen," says John Eldredge. "Like we need water. Like the branch needs the vine. Jesus is not merely a figure for devotions. He is the missing essence of your existence. To have Jesus, really have him, is to have the greatest treasure in all worlds. To have his life, joy, love, and presence cannot be compared. A true knowledge of Jesus is our greatest need and our greatest happiness."