The Day Jesus Moved Next Door: Jesus Still Goes After Lost Sheep by Sean Elliot Russell. Independently published. 350 pages.
I’ve mentioned here before that I look for two things when I read Christian fiction: (1) an entertaining story; and (2) a spiritual message. It’s not often easy to provide both of these, and for me, it’s a disappointment when an author doesn’t. I’m pleased to say that Sean Russell has accomplished that challenge with this book and done it very well.
The premise for the book is pretty much summed up in the title. There have been other books written with the idea of Jesus appearing in modern-day, but most of the time, He takes on a modern-day persona and identity. This book jumps into the deep end, having Jesus show up in a white robe and long hair and beard in the middle of Iowa, claiming that he is the crucified and risen Savior. You can imagine how that goes over, especially in a middle-class suburb in middle America.
What really makes this story work is that Russell focuses on developing the multiple characters on one block of a subdivision and their challenges, their struggles, and the reality that they are confronted with that religion as we know it doesn’t always address. The Jesus that comes to their block does address these issues, cares about them deeply, and ends up helping each and every one, and changing their lives in ways they can’t imagine.
It’s a story filled with conflict, both mundane and life-and-death, which makes for good reading, and the reader comes away both seeing that the Jesus portrayed here is more relevant than ever in this world, and that the mission for Christianity goes beyond just showing up to church every week.
This book is a must read for every Christian. Five of five stars.
The Great Adventure 