This is the latest book by American singer/songwriter Michael Card, who actually was a student at Bible college when he began his career by putting scripture into song at the request of his lecturer.

It’s ideal for people who don’t read books much. Although it can be read from cover to cover in the usual way, it is formatted as a 40-day devotional aid. Each day, there is a bite-size commentary on an aspect of the life of Jesus – enough to get you thinking and meditating on what you’ve just read. For example, in the story of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), Card draws us into story and we can feel the dogged determination of Jesus’ loving pursuit of the unsuspecting, but poised-for-abuse woman:

He is there waiting for her at the legendary well Jacob had given to his sons. It’s a historic spot, and history is about to be made there again. She wearily shuffles in his direction until she sees him standing there. Gathering herself she prepares for the abuse she’s become used to over time, especially from men.

To the contrary, he asks for help, for a drink from the collapsible leather bucket she carries with her to lower into the well. He will reveal himself to her in a minute as the source of the living water that is the Spirit. But for now, he is thirsty. The exchange between the two of them is complicated. He is in loving pursuit. She is throwing sand in his face, trying to get away. But Jesus is relentless.

Each day’s topic is based on a song in Card’s Imagination Series (4 albums – one on each of the gospels – named after the invitation to read Scripture with ‘informed imagination’). He also has full commentaries on each of gospels under the same name. They are very different from standard commentaries – highly engaging and eminently accessible to readers without any theological background.