A Conversation with Max Lucado

Written by Paula K. Parker

Since 2001, the numbers 9/11 have been linked with sadness and despair. Pastor and best-selling author Max Lucado watched, along with the rest of the world, the horrors that unfolded that fateful day, leaving countless people wondering, “Is there any hope left?” Lucado answers this question in his latest book, “3:16: The Numbers of Hope,” released by Thomas Nelson. In the book, Lucado shares the timeless hope found in what he calls ‘the Hope Diamond of the Bible’ – John 3:16.

Also being released is a DVD entitled, “3:16 Stories of Hope.” The DVD contains a short drama about Katherine, a prodigal-like young woman who finds herself in a dance club far from home, remembering a more innocent time in her life, exemplified by her dancing with her father. Katherine's story of eventual rebellion and consequence leads to an inspiring account of forgiveness, grace, and unconditional love. The cast includes Elizabeth Keener (upcoming “Death Sentence,” “Pin Wheel,” “Eighty Eight Keys”), Kaira Whitehead (“Madea’s Family Reunion”), and Susanna Lewis (“Madea’s Family Reunion,” “Black Oasis”). The DVD also contains 12 exclusive segments featuring Max Lucado, who imparts the timeless message of John 3:16 in a phrase-by-phrase fashion.
 
Paula K. Parker recently had the opportunity to sit down with Lucado and talk about the book, the DVD, and what he feels is his life’s project.
 
Paula K. Parker: You have both a book and a DVD on the same topic. Would someone need to purchase both to get the full scope of your message? 
 
Max Lucado: The segments in the DVD are good teasers for each chapter in the book. As you can imagine, they don’t go as deep or as broad as the book goes, but they are good summaries of the main points in the book.
 
Parker: In the book, you set the famous conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus taking place in front of some of the disciples. Was this creative license or did you come across this in research?
 
Lucado: It was creative license entirely. I thought that maybe Jesus was with His followers. People in those days traveled in clusters. As a rabbi, it would have been reasonable to think that there was a group of folks listening in on the conversation.
 
Parker: We read that dialogue and other dialogues between Jesus and other people and think, “Well, why can’t you see the truth in what Jesus is saying?” But so many times, what Jesus was saying was diametrically different from what people were being taught.
 
Lucado: I think that is part of the challenge that Nicodemus was trying to digest when Jesus was saying, “You must be born again.” The language that Jesus was using is literally to be born from above, not that you re-create yourself – which is a self-made religion. But Jesus created a whole new idea that humanly you can’t do it because you need a miracle that is identical to your physical conception. This miracle needs to take place spiritually. I’m not surprised that Nicodemus stammered and stuttered for a bit. It is the distinctive mark of our Christian faith. Years ago, someone told me that there are really only two religions: one where man saves man and the other where God saves man. I have not ever been able to disprove that.
 
Parker: All the pagan religions around the first century had stories of their gods – Zeus, Apollo – taking on human form and the Jews had been taught that their God was not like that. Furthermore, because the Jewish scholars interpreted the prophecies about the Messiah to fit their concepts, they had trouble accepting Him when He came.
 
Lucado: He would never condescend that far, would He?

Parker: Speaking of prophecies, Palm Sunday is on March 16 – 3/16 – next year. That’s interesting.
 
Lucado: It’s wonderful. It’s another opportunity for us to capitalize on a calendar event and to call people’s attention back to John 3:16.
 
Parker: I understand you’re going to be involved with an international satellite simulcast to U.S. churches alongside international events in multiple countries worldwide.
 
Lucado: Those are our plans. We’ve narrowed our location down to two venues. I haven’t been told which one it is yet. A lot of these things I come in late in the loop and just show up and talk to people about John 3:16.
 
I really think that this particular project, this endeavor, is a life project for me. If I do nothing else the rest of my life, except talk to people about John 3:16, I’ll be happy. I am excited about this privilege. The Gospel is indeed a treasure, and to be entrusted with this treasure in John 3:16, I can’t think of any better thing to do.

Mike and Paula K. Parker cover entertainment for LifeWay.com from their home in Middle Tennessee. Visit them online at www.wordcrafts.net.

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