Book of the Month - April 2025
Gentle and Lowly
Dane Ortlund - ISBN: 978-1-4335-6613-4 - 2020
Author:
Dane Ortlund
Dane C. Ortlund (PhD, Wheaton College) serves as senior pastor of Naperville Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois. He is an editor for the Knowing the Bible series and the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series, and is the author of several books, including Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers. Dane lives with his wife, Stacey, and their five children in Naperville, Illinois.
Brief Synopsis:
Christians know what Jesus Christ has done—but who is he? What is his deepest heart for his people, weary and faltering on their journey toward heaven? Jesus said he is “gentle and lowly in heart.” This book reflects on these words, opening up a neglected yet central truth about who he is for sinners and sufferers today.
Insights:
In the one place in the Bible where the Son of God pulls back the veil and lets us peer way down into the core of who he is…Letting Jesus set the terms, his surprising claim is that he is “gentle and lowly in heart.” - pg. 18
“To speak of God the Father as “the Father of mercies” is to say that he s the one who multiplies compassionate mercies to his needful, wayward, messy, fallen, wandering people.” - pg. 130
“Let Jesus draw you in through the loveliness of his heart. This is a heart that upbraids the impenitent with all the harshness that is appropriate, yet embraces the penitent with more openness than we are able to feel. It is a heart that walks us into the bright meadow of the felt love of God.” - pg. 99
“We err when we draw conclusions about who he (the Father) is subjectively based on what needed to happen objectively.” - pg. 128
Should I read it or skip it?
I was introduced to this book by my college freshman. He was reading it and suggested I check it out. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Books coming from a reformed perspective tend to be more harsh. Totally just my experience. I recognize this could be the people I have been in contact with and not all reformed believers.
Many times in our world we now discussion passion. We talk about heart and who has more of it. We look to the results of a football game and we say they played with “heart.” In this case, Pastor Ortlund spends 23 short chapters building a case about the one time Jesus talks about his heart.
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. - Jesus, Matthew 11:29
Ortlund book explores what this means in multiple ways. He discusses the Trinity and what this means for the heart of the Father and Holy Spirit. He reminds us that Jesus is for us. What more could you need to guide you to read it!
