Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:29 ESV). Dane Ortlund wrote “Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers” in order to expound on this oft-overlooked verse. In this beautifully-laid out volume, Ortlund helps sinners and sufferers understand how Jesus feels about them. That is the simple and profound reality that Ortlund explores within the book.

Ortlund begins the book by exploring the meaning of “gentle” and “lowly” in the context of Matthew 11:29. He then explores how Jesus acts toward sinners and sufferers in light of his gentle and lowly heart. Ortlund shows that Jesus is able to sympathize with sinners and will never cast them out once they are in Christ. He himself is an advocate for them through the Holy Spirit and acts as a tender friend toward us. The book explores even more implications of Jesus’s heart.

Ortlund has provided in “Gentle and Lowly” a unique contribution to the Christian living genre. He expertly weaves between biblical and theological explanation alongside helpful anecdotes. He relies heavily on Puritan writings, (especially Thomas Goodwin and John Bunyan) who seemed to have keen insight into this aspect of Jesus’s heart. Along with being a great dive into the heart of Christ, this book can serve as an introduction of sorts into some lesser known Puritan writings that could be salve to many hurting souls.

I would highly commend this book to anyone looking to grow in their understanding of the person of Christ. Too often, we miss this aspect of our Savior, forgetting that he is “gentle and lowly in heart.” Dane Ortlund calls us back into a full-orbed understanding of Jesus himself, reminding us of the Savior’s heart.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Crossway through their Blogger Review Program.