This book was spiritually refreshing and thought-provoking. I found myself moving through it slowly, savoring and considering the author's unique approach of "looking at Jesus' life primarily from 'down below'." The gospel narratives are presented as the foundation for Yancy's attempt to explore why today's church doesn't do a better job of representing Jesus to our world. Some of the descriptions of the prevalent attitudes in "today's church" (this book was published in 1995) have been significantly altered as millennial values converged with those in the church Yancy described. Still, Yancy's descriptions of the Jesus of the gospels provides a fresh reminders of the pure ideals and the absolute grace that are the foundation of Christian faith.
As the church continues to fumble along, trying to live like Jesus before a dying world, it is inspiring to remember that Jesus dearly loved his bungling and frequently misguided disciples. Though they often failed to understand him, Jesus never abandoned them. His final words to them looked forward to the future of the kingdom he was entrusting to them. He died to show them (and us) what real love looks like, and he was resurrected to give them (and us) hope and power beyond our failings. Jesus' followers are empowered to love and to hope and to live out his kingdom values, until he returns to permanently establish the perfect kingdom of God.