Gentle & Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers
Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund appeared on multiple “Best Books of 2020” lists. But I wondered, in a world where violent, salacious, and emotion-provoking headlines vie for our attention every day, how could a whole book on the gentleness and lowliness of Jesus, as excellent and praise-worthy as those qualities are, be interesting? But after seeing it recently on yet another “favorite list,” I decided to read it – a good decision.
At night, I turn down the brightness on my cell phone. Sometimes the following morning, I find myself straining to see the screen for a while before realizing the problem and turning the light back up. Once I do so, the clarity is remarkable. In Gentle and Lowly, Ortlund turns up the brightness on truths that I have known intellectually but haven’t always felt on an emotional or soul level.
The best way to explain the purpose of the book might be to use the author’s own words: “…it is an attempt to make our mental image of who God is more accurate.” (127) Ortlund lays out a convincing and compelling case that humans have often misunderstood God’s heart. Relying on scripture, the writings of theologians, and his own analysis, Gentle and Lowly is eye-opening, helping me recognize that my human nature and experiences have slightly skewed my understanding of some critical aspects of God’s character.
Ortlund punctuates challenging passages with precise, simple distillations of his key messages. In other words, he makes profound truths accessible…like the fact that sins and failings don’t repel Christ. On the contrary, Jesus came near to pay for sins, so that all who believe in Him will receive this gift and enter into His family. On an intellectual level, I know Jesus wants me to come to Him no matter what I have done, thought, or said, but I’m not sure I have always believed it. As the author says on page 166, “Out of his heart flows mercy; out of ours, reluctance to receive it.”
Maybe the inability to fully comprehend Christ’s gentle mercy is a problem for many believers, and why we try to save ourselves even after He has already saved us once and for all. I know that I have been watering down His mercy in my mind and heart, perhaps subconsciously fearing that He will turn against me, like humans sometimes do to one another. But Ortlund wisely says, “If you are part of Christ’s own body, your sins evoke his deepest heart, his compassion and pity. He ‘takes part with you’ – that is, he’s on your side. He sides with you against your sin, not against you because of your sin.” (71)
It is human nature to doubt. Over the years, many have shared with me that they don’t truly believe that God loves them – or that they don’t know for certain whether God is good. But Ortlund powerfully lays out the Bible’s case that “for God to cease to love his own, God would need to cease to exist, because God does not simply have love; he is love.” (193)
The way Ortlund explains God’s goodness, as revealed in the Bible and in the person of Christ, cuts straight to the heart, tearing away lies or half-truths that may hold unconscious sway.
Much like a ship on a voyage, when it comes to growing in faith and Biblical knowledge, minor course miscalculations and errors can lead to a place far off course. The topic of God’s heart is one of those critical areas where it’s essential to know and understand the truth; not doing so can result in a flawed view of the Lord, a wrong interpretation of how He feels about us, and a damaged witness to the world. Gentle and Lowly, with its deep dive into what God says about Himself in the Bible, is a valuable resource for checking one’s bearings on the faith journey.
For me, Ortlund’s book is a lovely reminder of God’s goodness and mercy, helping me to experience God’s warm and receiving nature in a fresh way - on an emotional and spiritual level.
When I started reading Gentle and Lowly, I made the mistake of approaching in my usual fashion – racing through it with the goal of completion – checking another book off of my list. Rushing was a mistake. It’s the kind of book best experienced slowly and thoughtfully – allowing time to savor the content. A week wouldn’t be too long to spend reading each chapter, praying, reflecting, and even journaling. It would also be beneficial to discuss it with a small group or book club.
Gentle and Lowly increased the brightness of my view of God in His infinite mercy, holiness, love, and gentleness. In an age full of information that can feel harsh, cold, and skewed – it was a great comfort and joy to be shown this warm and true picture of the light of the world.
Ortlund, Dane C. (2020). Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers. Wheaton, IL: Crossway.