Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund may have become one of my favorite books over the last few weeks.

This is a book that, as the title suggests, tells about the heart of Jesus. Dane is pastoral in his writing and there is a tenderness about this book. He relies heavily on two key theologians: Thomas Goodwin and John Owen (with some John Bunyan and C.S. Lewis sprinkled throughout). The works of these two men in particular are works that I was not completely familiar with prior to this book. After reading this book, I feel like I understand the writings of both Goodwin and Owen with much more clarity, though I still have not directly read their works.

When I describe this book to others, I typically say that it’s a book about the attributes of Christ. Yes, the attributes of Christ are the same as those of God because Jesus is God, yet this book reveals a lot about Jesus’ humanity and God’s true heart towards us. As I read this book, I felt my soul become lighter, unraveled, and more at peace. I didn’t feel like I was being condemned or shamed by God, but rather, like I was being invited to simply sit and rest, as He healed the brokenness of my soul and my misunderstanding of who He truly is.

This book reminded me over and over again that God does not look on us with disappointment and frustration. He does not shame us or push us aside. He does not remove His love from us despite our sin. I was reminded that our very sin is what God draws near to. He sees us and cares for us in the very lowest of lows.

One of my favorite lines in this book is a quote from Goodwin. He says, “O therefore come in unto him. If you knew his heart, you would.” How beautiful and secure is that promise. If we truly knew the heart of the one who gave up everything for us, we would not hesitate to run to Him, even in (and especially in) our sins and failures.

Overall, this is a book I would HIGHLY recommend. But please, do not rush through this book, flipping page after page just to get through it and on to the next one. Sit in this book for a while. Let the words of Christ marinate in your heart and wash over your soul like a refreshing drink of water. Let Christ invite you into truly see His heart for you. For He is gentle and lowly, and His arms are open wide for you.

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund