Description
From the announcement of Jesus’ birth to his death and resurrection Mary pondered often the events of Jesus’ life. Throughout the week preceding Passover, when she so desperately wanted to be with her son for the celebration of this important commemoration, some of these ponderings must have been much on her mind. However, instead of celebrating the joyous occasion of God’s salvation of the Jews from the Egyptians, she had to be a bystander to the events of Jesus’ torment at the hands of those who hated him. She knew a mother’s pain throughout that week, the pain of watching her child suffer when she would gladly have taken it on herself.
Judas is a secondary character in this story. Why did he do it? He must have struggled greatly against opposing forces within his love for the master and his love for his country. This story offers some insight into this complicated man. This book is unique in its presentation. It is an inspirational story, for Mary’s quiet faith through everything that happens can truly inspire us. The reader comes away from this book moved in a special way. There is the feeling of having come to know these biblical people more personally. It helps to see that it is possible to walk through difficult situations without losing faith. God is always faithful.
I’ve been around Christian publishing since 1987 when I helped our ministry self-publish an important resource for Vietnam veterans and their families. That book went on to be picked up by a royalty publisher and has since sold over 250,000 copies with a million in print.
Archive Review –
Dr. Ed Linn
April 3, 2015 – 11:47am 4
“Oil of Joy” is well done informative and inspirational.I believe that it will help people to know Jesus and biblical persons better, that Mary’s strong and quiet faith in God will nourish their faith in God.
Archive Review –
Kim Pascale
April 8, 2015 – 7:09am
What a wonderful Lenten study we are having with Oil of Joy! Everyone has a common impression that they are right there in the room with Mary! Fantastic!! We are sharing great conversation.
Archive Review –
Khrutsozo Kikhi in Nagaland, India
April 15, 2015 – 4:22pm
I was so much blessed reading your book and this is what i was about to say that it made this year’s Easter so real to me. I can picture the things going on about that time and was really happy about it.
The detail description in the book made me to realize something-the time and energy that you sacrificed in writing the book. I can say that it’s a book of a different kind focusing on the one week life of Jesus before death with so much to learn and know and experience and even picture for oneself on the event-I am blessed to have it!
Archive Review –
Joyce Ray
April 17, 2015 – 8:20am 5
Oil of Joy brings the reader on a journey through Holy Week through the eyes of Mary, Jesus’ mother and the people who were closest to Jesus. With an eloquent narrative style rich in details, the author highlights Mary’s worry and concern when she learns of the rumors running rampant in Jerusalem. We see the disciples’ confusion as Jesus tries to tell them what is about to happen. Maria, Martha and Lazarus come alive as the Bethany family so beloved by Jesus. And even Judas becomes human to the reader with Cutting’s portrayal as one who missed the truth of Jesus’ mission because he couldn’t let go of his ideal. Oil of Joy is a satisfying narrative and a meticulously referenced study guide for Lent. I highly recommend this book.
Archive Review –
Christine Zeiler
May 6, 2015 – 12:06pm
I am leading this book in our women’s Bible study. This is written amazingly well. From the very first sentence, it takes you along on the journey of Holy week as it was happening. It is written with scripture accuracy and historical accuracy. Elizabeth Cutting did an outstanding job of making this event very real.
Gail R. Hill –
In these changing times, I wanted to re-read your book OIL OF JOY. which I did, finishing it last night. Each time I have read it, I was inspired by your gift for writing, for helping the reader “SEE” the life of Jesus in new ways. Thank you for filling my thoughts and my heart with the powerful message of Jesus’ love.
Sue Wanlass –
I’ve just started reading Oil of Joy for the second time and it’s holding my attention just as much as it did the first time. It’s a book you’ll want to read more than once. My church used it for a Bible Study (so actully this will be my third time reading it). I liked knowing it went along with what the Bible tells us, but it went further by giving us an insight into Mary and her thoughts, feelings, and anguish as it came closer to the suffering and death of her son. There is so much to be learned from reading this book.
In reading Oil of Joy Biblical characters and circumstances become real to us, especially Mary, the disciples, and the friends and foes of Jesus. Judas was a big topic of conversation during the Bible study because I think all of us have had questions about Judas.
Even during the first reading of Oil of Joy it was comforting to know that the book was based on scripture. So well done!