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Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ
Who is Jesus Christ?
You've never met him in person, and you don't know anyone who has. But there is a way to know who he is. How? Jesus Christ-the divine Person revealed in the Bible-has a unique excellence and a spiritual beauty that speaks directly to our souls and says, Yes, this is truth. It's like seeing the sun and knowing that it is light, or tasting honey and knowing that it is sweet.
The depth and complexity of Jesus shatter our simple mental frameworks. He baffled proud scribes with his wisdom but was understood and loved by children. He calmed a raging storm with a word but would not get himself down from the cross.
Look at the Jesus of the Bible. Keep your eyes open, and fill them with the portrait of Jesus in God's Word. Jesus said, If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. Ask God for the grace to do his will, and you will see the truth of his Son.
John Piper has written this book in the hope that all will see Jesus for who he really is and will come to enjoy him above all else.
You've never met him in person, and you don't know anyone who has. But there is a way to know who he is. How? Jesus Christ-the divine Person revealed in the Bible-has a unique excellence and a spiritual beauty that speaks directly to our souls and says, Yes, this is truth. It's like seeing the sun and knowing that it is light, or tasting honey and knowing that it is sweet.
The depth and complexity of Jesus shatter our simple mental frameworks. He baffled proud scribes with his wisdom but was understood and loved by children. He calmed a raging storm with a word but would not get himself down from the cross.
Look at the Jesus of the Bible. Keep your eyes open, and fill them with the portrait of Jesus in God's Word. Jesus said, If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. Ask God for the grace to do his will, and you will see the truth of his Son.
John Piper has written this book in the hope that all will see Jesus for who he really is and will come to enjoy him above all else.
128 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2001
246 people are currently reading
2804 people want to read
About the author
John Piper
609 books4,588 followersJohn Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
September 27, 2020
I learned so much from this book. It has a lot of good tips and lessons that you can definitely learn from! I highly recommend this book and I also recommend to underline and highlight so that you can go back and look over what you have learned!
November 2, 2024
Such a good reminder of the goodness and greatness of Jesus Christ!
October 16, 2017
This was almost a three star book, but not because it wasn't good. In fact, it might have been almost five star if I didn't read it all in one sitting between ten and midnight.
That being said, this book isn't what I expected. I was looking for more Seeking and Savoring, but Piper offered more Jesus Christ. Which I suppose isn't a bad thing. If the book had been titled "A Concise Theology of Jesus Christ," then it would had delivered what it promised, and scored four, if not five stars.
As it was, the didn't touch as much as I had hoped on the believer's relationship with Christ, instead it focused on His person and character. Again, not a bad thing, just not what I expected. Even though it wasn't what I expected, it did hit home a couple of times with fresh, scripture-saturated perspective on who Christ was and is.
If you are looking for a book to help you develop your relationship with Christ, then maybe you should look elsewhere.
If you are looking for a quick read that glorifies Christ and brings scripture based understanding to who he is? This is the book for you.
That being said, this book isn't what I expected. I was looking for more Seeking and Savoring, but Piper offered more Jesus Christ. Which I suppose isn't a bad thing. If the book had been titled "A Concise Theology of Jesus Christ," then it would had delivered what it promised, and scored four, if not five stars.
As it was, the didn't touch as much as I had hoped on the believer's relationship with Christ, instead it focused on His person and character. Again, not a bad thing, just not what I expected. Even though it wasn't what I expected, it did hit home a couple of times with fresh, scripture-saturated perspective on who Christ was and is.
If you are looking for a book to help you develop your relationship with Christ, then maybe you should look elsewhere.
If you are looking for a quick read that glorifies Christ and brings scripture based understanding to who he is? This is the book for you.
August 12, 2025
This might be one of my favorite books I’ve ever read
December 30, 2019
Short, simple, sublime. There is no greater joy than growing in the knowledge of and in relationship with Christ.
March 14, 2011
It's rather seldom that I give a book five stars. And it has become pretty rare that I read books which fall under the "Christian Living" genre.
Naturally I have read a number of books on theological topics; however, I've grown a bit wary of them, partially because of all the superfluous reviews on back covers (as well as additional ones on the inside). Other than that, it seems that some include (shameless) plugs for other ministries with which the author or his friends are associated. These sorts of things are simply turn-offs for me personally.
One of the main reasons I decided to read Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ is that it is the gift that my church hands out to all of the first-time visitors. At one point I was one of those, so my free copy has been sitting on my shelf for a while.
Not too terribly long ago the leadership at my church admitted to me that they had not personally read the book (to their credit perhaps they have since then, but in the meantime, one of the things I do treasure most about them is their honesty and transparency!). At any rate, I thought it might be a good idea if someone from our group had actually read the book.
One of the first things that impressed me about Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ is that the book contains no blurbs of recommendation. (Finally! Let the book speak for itself!) I already felt refreshed. Piper also has a great writing style: clean and polished. (Much appreciated!) Each chapter is brief and saturated in Scripture. (Another plus!) In addition, I felt personally moved when reading through certain sections of the book. I believe that any sort of literature that is emotionally provocative is worth reading and often worthy of recommendation.
I'm not so sure that this book is the best choice to distribute to church newbies (Piper might take a bit getting used to for those who are unfamiliar with the Bible or any sort of literature which tends to be more academic), but it's a nice gift nonetheless.
Naturally I have read a number of books on theological topics; however, I've grown a bit wary of them, partially because of all the superfluous reviews on back covers (as well as additional ones on the inside). Other than that, it seems that some include (shameless) plugs for other ministries with which the author or his friends are associated. These sorts of things are simply turn-offs for me personally.
One of the main reasons I decided to read Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ is that it is the gift that my church hands out to all of the first-time visitors. At one point I was one of those, so my free copy has been sitting on my shelf for a while.
Not too terribly long ago the leadership at my church admitted to me that they had not personally read the book (to their credit perhaps they have since then, but in the meantime, one of the things I do treasure most about them is their honesty and transparency!). At any rate, I thought it might be a good idea if someone from our group had actually read the book.
One of the first things that impressed me about Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ is that the book contains no blurbs of recommendation. (Finally! Let the book speak for itself!) I already felt refreshed. Piper also has a great writing style: clean and polished. (Much appreciated!) Each chapter is brief and saturated in Scripture. (Another plus!) In addition, I felt personally moved when reading through certain sections of the book. I believe that any sort of literature that is emotionally provocative is worth reading and often worthy of recommendation.
I'm not so sure that this book is the best choice to distribute to church newbies (Piper might take a bit getting used to for those who are unfamiliar with the Bible or any sort of literature which tends to be more academic), but it's a nice gift nonetheless.
March 7, 2017
"In the middle of the last century the British writer C. S. Lewis got it shockingly right: 'A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic... or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.'
"In other words, Jesus will not be domesticated. But people still try. There seems to be something about this man for everybody. So we pick and choose in a way that shows he is on our side. All over the world, having Jesus on your side is a good thing. But not the original, undomesticated, unadjusted Jesus. Just the revised Jesus who fits our religion or political platform or lifestyle."
"In other words, Jesus will not be domesticated. But people still try. There seems to be something about this man for everybody. So we pick and choose in a way that shows he is on our side. All over the world, having Jesus on your side is a good thing. But not the original, undomesticated, unadjusted Jesus. Just the revised Jesus who fits our religion or political platform or lifestyle."
January 18, 2022
Piper was driven to write this little book from the conviction that divine truth is self-authenticating, as he states in the last couple pages of his afterword. He believes that ordinary people can come to know this Jesus simply by reading what the Bible says about him and that the Spirit of God will give them a "direct apprehension that this person Jesus is true and that his glory is the glory of God." And so in this little book Piper has held up the glorious diamond of the person of Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture and used each chapter to help us see and savor each beautiful facet. This is one of those little books that I like to reread periodically because it recenters the heart to joyfully love and serve Jesus himself, our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Friend, our fierce and furious Conquering King, the "undomesticated and unpredictable one", (as Piper says), our tender Shepherd, our everything, our life.
April 19, 2017
In classic Piper fashion, this short treatise lays out the groundwork from the Scriptures, the many ways we ought to find ourselves in awe of the magnificence of the Lord Jesus Christ. I really hope to revisit this once a year for the rest of my time, this side of eternity. "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ"; is there anything we could do of more significance?
January 27, 2021
3.5555555
Obviously this is a beautiful gaze-fest at Jesus. Brilliant for a Vitamin J shot to the heart - whether you need a daily devotional or a theological fillip or just seriously good evidence that Jesus is self-evidently true and good and wonderful. To see him IS to savour him.
But there’s something about the way John Piper’s mind works that’s so different to mine. When he writes, it’s like he’s staple-gunning my brain with chains of reasoning. A stuttering typewriter, not a seamless flow through my brain and down to my heart.
Obviously this is a beautiful gaze-fest at Jesus. Brilliant for a Vitamin J shot to the heart - whether you need a daily devotional or a theological fillip or just seriously good evidence that Jesus is self-evidently true and good and wonderful. To see him IS to savour him.
But there’s something about the way John Piper’s mind works that’s so different to mine. When he writes, it’s like he’s staple-gunning my brain with chains of reasoning. A stuttering typewriter, not a seamless flow through my brain and down to my heart.
May 24, 2023
Piper draws your attention back to some of the simplest truths of Jesus to reground you and remind you of the necessity for Christ and His heart for you. Though the content is simple, this book was a sweet reminder to slow down and consider not only the cross, but the man who hung there and the reason He did.
May 17, 2024
This book moved my heart in such a crazy way! How incredible that we can know the essence of joy more and more through a relationship with Christ and learning to see and savor Jesus for who he truly is. A really good book for reminding us that we were created to glorify Him, and how leaning into this is the means by which we know joy!!!
January 16, 2022
This was a great quick book to read. I don't think I was the intended audience, as it felt a bit too entry-level for me, but I still enjoyed John Piper's thoughts about the various facets of Jesus' character as presented in the whole Word of God. It would be better for a seeker who is trying to understand who Jesus really is, not how he is always presented in popular culture, or for a Christian who has never learned these things.
July 25, 2023
Especially useful for the season before Easter, but at any time it is good to get to know Jesus better.
September 8, 2023
Terrific.
January 7, 2025
Is it just me, or are all Piper books more of the same?
April 8, 2025
This book was so incredible, I truly believe everyone should read/listen to it! I especially loved the prayers at the end of each chapter, they were so encouraging each day!
August 26, 2023
Really good.
June 28, 2024
This was an excellent read. Piper very helpfully explained multiple different aspects of Jesus, using Scripture to back up and explain each one of them. What an encouraging, well-written book!
April 5, 2015
In what is seemingly to me "typical John Piper," we have some important ideas presented in thin, unsupported, fairly redundant ways giving us a hopeful-yet-bemusing package. Mr. Piper's inability to sustain any thought perhaps makes him ideal in today's age of no attention spans, but I'm not sure catering to the weaknesses of one's audience is an ideal mark of authorial stewardship. Obviously the basic premise of knowing and delighting in Christ more and better is true and important. It's hard to argue with that basic idea. The problem comes mainly in Piper's presentation and "development" of this idea. Here's the interesting perplexity of Piper: he manages to be redundant throughout his book (admittedly, I've "only" read 3) and at the same time never truly develops his ideas. He talks about them again and again, yet the discussion never goes anywhere. Even Piper loses interest in the "savoring" notion, as it disappears from most of the book until the very end. As with Desiring God, Piper does not give us any real way in which we can "savor" Jesus: it's the usual "love Him, worship Him, delight in Him" stuff - which sounds great, really, but means basically nothing. It's tricky, indeed, to construct a meaningful "How to Worship God" book without sounding like you conceive of yourself as God's gift to Christianity, but still. Repetitive "savor Jesus" talk with no substance isn't much better. Yet, this book isn't a total flop. The prayers at the end of each chapter, which embrace a pretentiousness like no other if read as written, can be easily transmogrified into a meaningful self-reflection. Turn all the "we"s and "our"s to "I" and "my," and suddenly they can be helpful ways to evaluate your own worship life and selfishness, encouraging you to pursue God better. Plus, there are a few good sentences here and there that will probably resonate enough to feel like reading the book wasn't a total waste of time and energy. It is a nice quick read, at least. But it's Piper, so be cautioned.
September 7, 2019
Sometimes when I give three stars, it's my way of not rating the book. It's a "neutral" rating, because the reading experience will be even more subjective than usual. This is a quality book on who Jesus is and how we should see him, and there was one part of it which I found to be particularly profound. (We see who God is and the world he has made, and all that we don't understand. We have two choices: we can worship or curse. It is, in some ways, just that simple.) But I think this is one of those books that is a matter of timing and disposition. I often struggle to enjoy even excellent theologians because, frankly, not all great theologians are great writers. The level of writing must be sharpened to such a terribly fine point to actually pierce the skin for me, and perhaps that has something to do with my own hardness of heart, I don't know.
The writing is merely decent--it is at times good--but the theology is sound, leans heavily on scripture, and may be just the thing someone needs to hear at just a time they are ready to hear it.
The writing is merely decent--it is at times good--but the theology is sound, leans heavily on scripture, and may be just the thing someone needs to hear at just a time they are ready to hear it.
June 13, 2015
A great book about Jesus Christ. Piper has gone to the Bible and used Scripture to show Jesus Christ. In the last chapter of the book Piper has explained in a marvelous way what he has tried to do. He says 'As imperfect as my writing is, compared to Scripture itself, I still hope that reading these thirteen chapters has been like viewing a diamond through thirteen different facets. The Bible itself is the only authoritative description of the diamond of Jesus Christ. I hope in the end you will turn from this book to the Bible.' I believe that Piper has done a thorough job in accomplishing this goal.
April 25, 2015
I was overall unimpressed with this book. It was full of truth about Jesus, but I found it pretty dull and definitely wasn't led to Savoring Jesus. I was very disappointed.
Also, I was a little put off by Piper saying Jesus was always happy. His reasoning was that the opposite of happy is gloomy and gloomy isn't glorious... I'm just not sure I agree with that. To be fair, he did talk about Jesus grieving and weeping, but tried to reason that he was happy while grieving. It just didn't work for me.
Also, I was a little put off by Piper saying Jesus was always happy. His reasoning was that the opposite of happy is gloomy and gloomy isn't glorious... I'm just not sure I agree with that. To be fair, he did talk about Jesus grieving and weeping, but tried to reason that he was happy while grieving. It just didn't work for me.
July 14, 2008
i read this in one night, but i want to read it again more slowly. it is a very short book and pretty easy to understand. (but not always) This is a must read for any Christian. Piper goes through what it means to see and savor Christ, and makes God look really magnificent in a short amount of pages.
April 10, 2016
An articulation of thirteen aspects of who Jesus is. It left me longing for more of Jesus. Quick and easy to read. Helpful for thinking through how to articulate who Jesus is to someone who does not know Him.
January 9, 2023
Piper wrote this with both Christians and nonChristians in mind. I found it to be an encouraging little book that stirred my affections for Christ and would recommend to the Christian as a short devotional or to the nonChristian as an overview of who the Bible reveals Christ to be!
March 15, 2023
A solid and refreshing short book for sure. Like most of Piper's books, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ is full of scripture on each page. There are 13 chapters and each chapter dedicates itself to Jesus' and who he is. I especially enjoyed chapter 10, where we see Jesus and his rich mercy and compassion being shared for his people. This book will surely refresh your love and admiration for or help reveal to you the real Christ.
“The practical effect of this path is that I do not ask you to pray for a special whisper from God to decide if Jesus is real. Rather I ask you to look at the Jesus of the Bible. Look at him. Don't close your eyes and hope for a word of confirmation. Keep your eyes open and fill them with the full portrait of Jesus provided in the Bible. If you come to trust Jesus Christ as the Lord and God, it will be because you see in him a divine glory and excellence that is simply is what it is -- true” pg. 121
“The practical effect of this path is that I do not ask you to pray for a special whisper from God to decide if Jesus is real. Rather I ask you to look at the Jesus of the Bible. Look at him. Don't close your eyes and hope for a word of confirmation. Keep your eyes open and fill them with the full portrait of Jesus provided in the Bible. If you come to trust Jesus Christ as the Lord and God, it will be because you see in him a divine glory and excellence that is simply is what it is -- true” pg. 121
December 18, 2019
This was the first book in my entire life where I finished it in one sitting. Aside from the Bible itself, this is one book I will now recommend to every Christian I meet. If you are a Christian this is a must read. If you are not a Christian I still recommend this, although it is more for encouraging and spurring on Christians. Piper does an excellent job focusing on Christ and providing tons of scripture (which I appreciate immensely) helping us to see how awesome Jesus is.
Finishing this book has renewed and rekindled my passion to glorify God and share the gospel, and the prayers included at the end of each chapter are powerful and bold, which encouraged me greatly. One of my favorite books now.
Finishing this book has renewed and rekindled my passion to glorify God and share the gospel, and the prayers included at the end of each chapter are powerful and bold, which encouraged me greatly. One of my favorite books now.
June 1, 2020
This a short, easy read, but it is jam packed full of essential and incredible truths about Jesus that are so good for our hearts to ponder on. This is one that should be read again and again!
*Suggestion for reading: Since it is such an easy read, and because the content is so good, I found myself reading multiple chapters at a time. Because it was my first time reading this book, and because I knew I would read through it again, I let myself. However, I would highly recommend only doing one chapter at a time and taking time to really soak in the content, and to allow your mind to ponder it and your heart to wonder at it.
*Suggestion for reading: Since it is such an easy read, and because the content is so good, I found myself reading multiple chapters at a time. Because it was my first time reading this book, and because I knew I would read through it again, I let myself. However, I would highly recommend only doing one chapter at a time and taking time to really soak in the content, and to allow your mind to ponder it and your heart to wonder at it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews