The running illustration likening us to whales on a beach needing desperately to be helped back into the water evokes a strange and yet striking picture of our lives without Jesus. Mike Cain's short-yet-full chapters help the reader to dig a bit deeper into parts of John's gospel and discover who Jesus is and what it means to have a relationship with the One who said 'I am the good Shepherd'... Particular highlights for me were chapters 4 & 5 - looking carefully at Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman at the well leads the reader to realise that whoever you are and whatever you are like, Jesus is someone you need to know more about - he offers you something that can't be found anywhere else. Immensly helpful for those who've never quite found what they're looking for... Also really good for people who already know the Lord Jesus - Mike Cain challenges us to further develop our relationship with God's Servant King.

This book will prove invaluable to those who are looking for a gateway into John's gospel. Mike deals with various passages with the aim of pointing those looking into the Christian faith to who Jesus is and how that is to affect our lives. Well worth the investment - and good to give to others...

This book is for all those who are tempted to give Christianity a second look. So many have picked up their pen to write about this extraordinary man Jesus, yet what the author wants to do is examine the real-life, historical Jesus of history. The author’s portrait of Jesus is Biblically based – Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of John. One man is exploring what Jesus means to him, and the result is simple yet mixed with profound philosophical concepts that the sub-title promises: ‘meaning, freedom, purpose.’ He talks of Jesus’ love as spreading beyond the cultural borders of the day: his love was and is personal, and still relevant even in our busy, twenty-first century lives. Certainly, while reading this I was convinced that the author was deeply affected by Christianity, and his fresh message should encourage others to explore the truth behind the image.