Lifted Up Between a Pharisee & a Thief: An In-Depth Look at the Gospel of John by a Jewish Rabbi - and a Convicted Felon

A parallel verse-by-verse commentary on the Gospel of John from two very different perspectives and addressing two very different audiences: a Messianic Jewish Rabbi speaking to his home congregation, and a convicted felon - a Gentile - teaching a class of brand-new converts ... as a prisoner himself. The Gospel of John contains some of the Bible's best-known verses ("For God so loved the world ...") yet also some of its most profound truths. "Lifted Up" challenges conventional views of the Gospel while highlighting the power of God not only to bring His own Chosen People to faith, but also to transform lives shattered by rebellion, addiction and sin. It is a volume not to be missed by the sincere follower of the First-Century Jewish Rabbi most of us call Jesus, whose Hebrew name is Yeshua.

About the Author :
Joel Liberman is the Messianic Rabbi of Tree of Life, a Messianic Jewish congregation located in San Diego, CA. Joel holds a Master of Divinity degree, and for the past 18 years has faithfully taught through the Scriptures each week expositionally, combining exegesis with life-application. Joel is also a former Executive Director of the International Messianic Jewish Alliance (IMJA). He serves on the Steering Committee of the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS). Over the years, Joel has been a frequent conference speaker and is frequently asked to speak in other venues, sharing the Scriptures from a Messianic Jewish and prophetic viewpoint. James Murphy brings a very different worldview and life experience to the table. He was orphaned at 11. On his own and on the streets at 16. He's been homeless as an adult, and over the course of his life, has served almost 10 years in prison. He writes not from the perspective of a highly successful ministry leader, but as one who has seen up close and experienced things we would wish on no one. Yet he's also had some great successes in his life. For more than four years he was the senior writer for The Timothy Group, an advertising agency specializing in Christian nonprofits. He wrote World Vision US' Major Donor Track for 10 years and ghost wrote every word of the book published in 1990 under Bob's name by Word, Inc., titled "One Life at a Time." Later James was Marketing Resource Manager for World Vision International, Director of Development for Victory Outreach Los Angeles, and currently serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors of Jesus Cares Ministry, Inc., which focuses on feeding the homeless and training local leaders around the world. James is an active member of Tree of Life Messianic Jewish Congregation in San Diego in submission to Messianic Rabbi Joel Liberman.