Introduction
In a world often characterized by judgment, condemnation, and harsh criticism, many people wonder about the true nature of Jesus Christ's heart. Is he a stern, wrathful deity ready to punish our every misstep? Or is he a compassionate friend, offering comfort and understanding to those who are struggling? Dane Ortlund's book "Gentle and Lowly" delves deep into this question, exploring the heart of Christ and what it means for those who seek him.
Drawing from biblical scriptures and the insights of Puritan theologians, Ortlund presents a compelling portrait of Jesus that may surprise and comfort many readers. This book is particularly relevant for those who feel weary, burdened, or overwhelmed by life's challenges. It offers a fresh perspective on God's love and mercy, inviting readers to reconsider their understanding of Christ's character and his relationship with humanity.
The Heart of Jesus: Gentle and Lowly
One of the most striking aspects of the Gospels is that, despite the detailed accounts of Jesus's life and ministry, there is only one passage that directly describes his heart. This description, found in Matthew 11:28-30, reveals a profound truth about Christ's nature:
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
These words paint a picture of Jesus that is far from the stern, judgmental figure many might imagine. Instead, we see a heart that is gentle, humble, and welcoming. The Greek words used here for "gentle" and "lowly" carry significant meaning:
Gentle: This word appears only a few times in the New Testament, always in contexts emphasizing meekness, humility, and a non-reactive nature. It suggests a character that is patient, understanding, and tender.
Lowly: While often translated as "humble," this word in its original context implies more than just a virtuous trait. It refers to the kind of humility that comes from experiencing adversity and suffering. It connects Jesus to those who have endured hardship and pain.
This description reveals that Jesus's heart is not inclined towards harsh judgment or punishment. Instead, it radiates love, patience, and healing, especially towards those who feel broken, sinful, or burdened. His gentle and lowly nature makes him particularly accessible to those who are struggling, offering them a place of rest and renewal.
The Compassionate Heart of Christ
One of the most striking aspects of Jesus's character is his boundless compassion. Throughout the Gospels, we see numerous instances where Christ's heart is moved by the suffering and needs of others. This compassion is not a superficial emotion but springs from the very core of his being.
The Greek word used for "compassion" in the New Testament literally refers to one's innermost organs or "guts." This visceral imagery emphasizes that Christ's compassion is not a mere surface-level sentiment but a deep, gut-wrenching response to human pain and suffering. We see this compassion manifested in various ways:
- Healing the sick: "And he had compassion on them and healed their sick" (Matthew 14:14)
- Feeding the hungry: "I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat" (Matthew 15:32)
- Teaching the lost: "He had compassion on them... and he began to teach them many things" (Mark 6:34)
- Comforting the grieving: "And he had compassion on her and said to her, 'Do not weep'" (Luke 7:13)
These examples illustrate that Jesus's compassion is not passive but active. It moves him to meet people's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. His heart is so attuned to human suffering that he is often moved to tears. The Gospels record two instances where Jesus wept:
- Over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41)
- At the tomb of his friend Lazarus (John 11:35)
In both cases, Jesus's tears were not for his own sorrow but for the pain and grief of others. This empathetic response reveals the depth of his compassion and his ability to enter into our suffering.
Christ's Heart Moves Towards Sinners
One of the most remarkable aspects of Jesus's character is his inclination to move towards those who are considered "unclean" or sinful. This tendency stands in stark contrast to the Old Testament concept of cleanliness and uncleanliness.
In the Old Testament, uncleanliness was seen as contagious. When a clean person came into contact with an unclean person or object, they became unclean themselves. This led to a system of separation and purification rituals to maintain holiness.
However, Jesus consistently breaks this pattern. Instead of avoiding those considered unclean or sinful, he actively seeks them out. We see this in his interactions with lepers, tax collectors, and other social outcasts. For example, when a leper approaches Jesus saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean," Jesus doesn't recoil. Instead, he reaches out, touches the man, and says, "I will; be clean" (Matthew 8:2-3).
This willingness to engage with the "unclean" reveals several important aspects of Christ's heart:
Fearlessness: Jesus is not afraid of being contaminated by sin or uncleanliness. His purity is so complete that it overcomes impurity rather than being overcome by it.
Compassion: His heart is moved by the suffering and isolation of those deemed unclean by society.
Healing intent: Jesus doesn't just tolerate the presence of the unclean; he actively works to restore and heal them.
Inclusivity: By engaging with those on the margins of society, Jesus demonstrates that his love and mercy are available to all, regardless of their social or moral status.
This aspect of Christ's character challenges us to reconsider our own attitudes towards those we might consider "unclean" or unworthy. It invites us to cultivate hearts that move towards, rather than away from, those who are struggling or marginalized.
The Infinite Love of God
One of the most challenging concepts for human beings to grasp is the infinite nature of God's love. Our human experiences and limitations often lead us to project our own finite understanding onto God, assuming that His love must have limits or conditions. However, the Bible consistently portrays God's love as boundless and unconditional.
Jonathan Edwards, a prominent Puritan theologian, described God's love as "an ocean without shores or bottom." This metaphor captures the immeasurable depth and breadth of divine love. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, prays that believers might comprehend "the breadth and length and height and depth" of Christ's love (Ephesians 3:18), suggesting that it extends in all directions infinitely.
This infinite love has several important implications:
No prerequisites: There are no qualifications or requirements to receive God's love. It is freely given to all who are willing to receive it.
No expiration date: God's love doesn't run out or diminish over time. It is constant and eternal.
No limits: There is no sin too great, no failure too severe to exhaust God's love and forgiveness.
Freedom, not bondage: True love, especially God's love, doesn't constrain or trap us. Instead, it liberates us to become our true selves.
Understanding the infinite nature of God's love can be transformative. It challenges our tendency to think we need to earn God's favor or that we might somehow exhaust His patience. Instead, it invites us to rest in the assurance of a love that knows no bounds.
The Invitation to Rest
One of the most comforting aspects of Jesus's heart is His invitation to rest. In Matthew 11:28, He says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This invitation is remarkable for several reasons:
It's universal: Jesus invites "all" who are weary and burdened. There are no exclusions based on background, status, or past mistakes.
It acknowledges our struggles: By addressing those who "labor and are heavy laden," Jesus shows His awareness and understanding of human suffering and hardship.
It promises relief: The offer of rest is not just a temporary respite but a fundamental easing of our burdens.
It's personal: Jesus invites us to come to Him directly. This is not a generic offer of help but a personal invitation into a relationship.
This invitation reveals several key aspects of Christ's heart:
Compassion: Jesus is moved by our struggles and wants to provide relief.
Accessibility: He makes Himself available to all who need Him.
Power: He is able to provide the rest that we need, suggesting His ability to address the root causes of our weariness.
Desire: This is not a reluctant offer but an eager invitation. Jesus wants us to come to Him.
The nature of this rest is not just physical relaxation but a deep, soul-level peace. It comes from laying our burdens at Jesus's feet and allowing Him to carry them for us. This rest is also linked to taking on Jesus's "yoke," which He describes as easy and light. This suggests that following Jesus, while it may involve challenges, ultimately leads to a life that is less burdensome than trying to navigate life on our own.
The Misconception of Earning God's Love
One of the most common misconceptions about God's love is the idea that we must earn it or somehow make ourselves worthy of it. This mindset often stems from our human experiences of conditional love and our tendency to apply earthly logic to heavenly realities.
Ortlund uses a powerful analogy to illustrate this point: Imagine a generous father giving his six-year-old daughter a priceless, exquisitely handcrafted dollhouse for her birthday. The child, not fully grasping the value of the gift or the father's joy in giving it, immediately tries to pay him back with the loose change in her piggy bank. Far from being pleased, the father would likely feel sad and pained by this response. The child's limited understanding prevents her from fully receiving and enjoying the gift, which in turn dampens the father's joy in giving.
This analogy highlights several important truths about God's love:
It's a gift, not a transaction: God's love is freely given, not something we can earn or repay.
Our attempts to "pay back" God can actually grieve Him: When we try to earn God's love, we misunderstand His nature and the purpose of His gifts.
God delights in giving: Just as the father in the analogy wants his daughter to simply enjoy the gift, God wants us to receive and revel in His love without feeling indebted.
Our understanding is limited: Just as the child can't fully grasp the value of the dollhouse or the depth of her father's love, we often fail to comprehend the magnitude of God's love and grace.
This misconception of needing to earn God's love often leads to spiritual exhaustion and a sense of never measuring up. It can create a performance-based relationship with God, where we're constantly trying to do enough to be worthy of His love. However, the Bible consistently portrays God's love as unconditional and based on His character, not our performance.
Understanding that God's love is a free gift can be incredibly liberating. It allows us to stop striving and start receiving. It shifts our focus from our own efforts to God's generosity and grace. This doesn't mean that our actions don't matter, but rather that they flow from a place of gratitude and love, not obligation or fear.
The Contrast Between Human and Divine Logic
One of the key themes in "Gentle and Lowly" is the stark contrast between human logic and divine wisdom. This difference is encapsulated in the verse from Isaiah 55:8: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord."
Human logic often operates on a transactional basis - a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" mentality. This approach, while practical in many earthly situations, falls short when applied to our relationship with God. Some key differences include:
Conditional vs. Unconditional Love: Human love is often conditional, based on reciprocity or merit. God's love, however, is unconditional and based on His character, not our worthiness.
Limited vs. Unlimited Resources: We often operate from a scarcity mindset, believing that giving depletes us. God, being infinite, can give endlessly without diminishment.
Justice vs. Mercy: Human systems often prioritize justice and punishment for wrongdoing. While God is just, He also emphasizes mercy and forgiveness in a way that surpasses human understanding.
Earning vs. Receiving: We're accustomed to earning what we get. God's grace, however, is a gift that can only be received, not earned.
External vs. Internal Transformation: Human efforts often focus on external behavior modification. God's work in us starts with internal heart transformation.
Understanding this contrast is crucial for several reasons:
- It helps us avoid projecting our limited, human understanding onto God.
- It allows us to more fully appreciate and receive God's love and grace.
- It challenges us to align our thinking and actions more closely with God's ways.
- It provides comfort and hope, knowing that God's love and wisdom far exceed our own limitations.
The Power of Christ's Love to Transform
Throughout "Gentle and Lowly," Ortlund emphasizes the transformative power of Christ's love. This love is not merely a comforting sentiment but a dynamic force capable of radically changing lives. Here are some key aspects of this transformative love:
It Heals: Christ's love has the power to heal not just physical ailments, but also emotional and spiritual wounds. His gentle and lowly heart provides a safe space for broken people to find restoration.
It Frees: Unlike human love which can sometimes become possessive or controlling, Christ's love liberates. It frees us from the burden of guilt, the power of sin, and the fear of judgment.
It Empowers: Experiencing Christ's love doesn't just make us feel good; it empowers us to live differently. It gives us the strength to face challenges, resist temptation, and love others more fully.
It Redefines Identity: Christ's love has the power to change how we see ourselves. Instead of being defined by our failures or what others think of us, we find our identity in being beloved children of God.
It Motivates: Understanding and experiencing Christ's love becomes a powerful motivator for Christian living. Our obedience and service flow not from obligation or fear, but from grateful hearts responding to love.
It Restores: Christ's love has the power to restore what sin has broken - our relationship with God, our sense of purpose, our ability to love others.
It Perseveres: The transformative power of Christ's love is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. His love continues to work in us, even when we falter or fail.
This transformative love is not just a theological concept but a lived reality for many believers throughout history. The Puritan writers that Ortlund often references spoke from personal experience of how encountering Christ's gentle and lowly heart changed them profoundly.
Understanding the transformative power of Christ's love challenges us to open ourselves more fully to this love. It invites us to bring our brokenness, our sins, and our struggles to Christ, trusting that His love has the power to heal, restore, and transform us.
Final Thoughts: The Gentle and Lowly Heart of Christ
As we conclude our exploration of "Gentle and Lowly," it's important to reflect on the central message of the book: the heart of Christ is fundamentally gentle and lowly, full of compassion and mercy for sinners and sufferers.
This understanding of Christ's heart has profound implications for our spiritual lives:
Invitation to Rest: Knowing that Christ's heart is gentle and lowly invites us to lay down our burdens and find rest in Him. We don't need to prove ourselves or earn His love; we can simply come as we are.
Comfort in Suffering: For those who are hurting or struggling, the gentle heart of Christ offers comfort and understanding. He is not distant from our pain but enters into it with us.
Hope for the Broken: Christ's heart towards sinners offers hope for those who feel beyond redemption. His love and mercy are greater than our failures and mistakes.
Motivation for Growth: Understanding Christ's heart doesn't excuse sin but rather motivates us to grow. We change not out of fear of punishment but out of love for the One who loves us so completely.
Model for Relationships: Christ's gentle and lowly heart provides a model for how we should relate to others, especially those who are struggling or different from us.
Assurance in Doubt: When we doubt God's love or goodness, we can return to this truth about Christ's heart as an anchor for our faith.
Ortlund's book challenges us to align our view of Christ with what Scripture actually reveals about His heart. It invites us to shed misconceptions and embrace the transformative truth of Christ's gentle and lowly nature.
In a world that often feels harsh and unforgiving, the message of "Gentle and Lowly" offers a refreshing and hope-filled perspective. It reminds us that at the center of the Christian faith is not a set of rules or a distant deity, but a Savior whose heart beats with love for His people.
As we close, let's remember that if we find ourselves thinking of Christ, we are already with Him. His gentle and lowly heart is always open, always welcoming, always ready to offer rest, healing, and transformative love to all who come to Him.