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

Brief Description:
"Shows how the heart of Christ feels about God's people as they sin and stumble their way through life"--

Promotional Headline:
Share the Good News of Jesus's Tender Love toward Sinners and Sufferers This Christmas

Commendation Quotes:

" Gentle and Lowly comes from the pen of someone who has not just profited from reading the Puritans--but who, more importantly, has read the Bible under their tutelage. One short book can never be enough to convey all the glory of the character of Christ, but this book deftly unpacks something we often overlook: Christ is meek and lowly in heart and gives rest to those who labor and are burdened. Written with pastoral gentleness and quiet beauty, it teases out what twenty biblical texts contribute to this portrait of the heart of Christ, all of it brought together to bring comfort, strength, and rest to believers."
-- D. A. Carson, Theologian at Large, The Gospel Coalition

"In this timely work, Dane Ortlund directs our attention back to the person of Jesus. Centered on the Scriptures and drawing upon the best of the Puritan tradition, Ortlund helps us see the heart of God as it is revealed to us in Christ. He reminds us not only of Jesus's promises of rest and comfort, but of the Bible's vision of Jesus: a kind and gracious King."
-- Russell Moore, Editor in Chief, Christianity Today; author, Losing Our Religion

"The title of this book immediately evoked within me a sense of longing, hope, and gratitude. The message it contains is a balm for every heart that feels pierced by sin or sorrow--whether from within or without. It is an invitation to experience the sweet consolations of a Savior who moves toward us with tenderness and grace, when we know we deserve just the opposite from him."
-- Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, Founder and Bible Teacher, Revive Our Hearts

"On the rough, rocky, and often dark path between the 'already' and the 'not yet, ' there is nothing your weary heart needs more than to know the beauty of the heart of Jesus. It is that beauty that alone has the power to overwhelm all the ugly you will encounter along the way. I have read no book that more carefully, thoroughly, and tenderly displays Christ's heart than what Dane Ortlund has written. As if I was listening to a great symphony, I was moved in different ways in different passages but left each feeling hugely blessed to know that what was being described was the heart of my Savior, my Lord, my Friend, and my Redeemer. I can't think of anyone in the family of God who wouldn't be greatly helped by spending time seeing the heart of Jesus through the eyes of such a gifted guide as Ortlund."
-- Paul David Tripp, author, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional

"The Puritans breathed Christ-centered practices: they embraced the Bible as a lifeline, exercised it like a muscle, and relied upon it like a bulletproof vest. They knew how to hate their sin without hating themselves because they understood that Christ's grace is an ever-present Person, a Person who understands our situation and our needs better than we do. They understood that we suffer because of sin. Dane Ortlund masterfully handles a treasure trove of Puritan wisdom and deftly presents it to the Christian reader. Read this book and pray that the Holy Spirit reveals Christ to you as the Puritans understood him, and you will be refreshed to understand God's grace in a whole new way."
-- Rosaria Butterfield, former Professor of English and Women's Studies, Syracuse University; author, The Gospel Comes with a House Key and Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age

"'He is so strong that he can afford to be gentle.' That old movie line is more than a throwaway sentiment when we consider the theological precision and pastoral heart of Dane Ortlund describing God's heart toward those who are weak, weary, sin-sick, and despairing. The insights of Gentle and Lowly are truly a river of mercy flowing from the throne of God, through great pastors of the past, and into precious and powerful ministry for today."
-- Bryan Chapell, Pastor Emeritus, Grace Presbyterian Church, Peoria, Illinois

"My life has been transformed by the beautiful, staggering truths in this book. Dane Ortlund lifts our eyes to see Christ's compassion-filled heart for sinners and sufferers, proving that Jesus is no reluctant savior but one who delights in showing his mercy. For any feeling bruised, weary, or empty, this is the balm for you."
-- Michael Reeves, President and Professor of Theology, Union School of Theology, United Kingdom

"Only a few pages in I started to realize how unusual and essential this book is--it is an exposition of the very heart of Christ. The result is a book that astonishes us with the sheer abundance and capacity of his love for us. Breathtaking and healing in equal measure, it is already one of the best books I've read."
-- Sam Allberry, Associate Pastor, Immanuel Nashville, Tennessee; author, One with My Lord

"Dane Ortlund writes about what seems too good to be true--the Lord delights to show mercy to you and to me--so he works very carefully through key texts and enlists the help of saints past. I was persuaded, and I look forward to being persuaded again and again."
-- Edward T. Welch, Counselor and Faculty Member, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation; author, I Have a Psychiatric Diagnosis: What Does the Bible Say?

"Dane Ortlund leads us into the very heart of God incarnate--not only what Jesus did for us, but how he feels toward us. That's right: feels toward us. Anchored in Scripture and drawing on the Puritan Thomas Goodwin, this book is medicine for broken hearts."
-- Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California

"Dane Ortlund helps us rediscover the heart of Jesus that is the very heart of the gospel. This delightful book opens up the sheer immensity of Jesus's tender love for us. As you immerse yourself in Christ's very heart, you'll find your own heart warmed at the fire of the love of God. Ortlund opens up a neglected theme among the Puritans (in bite-sized chunks that won't overwhelm you), where you'll discover their grasp of the beauty of Jesus's love. Your soul needs this book. I highly recommend it."
-- Paul E. Miller, author, A Praying Life; J-Curve; and A Praying Church

" Gentle and Lowly is drawing me to the heart of Christ. It is helping me to draw the hearts of my counselees to Christ. Gentle and Lowly is the best book of the twenty-first century."
-- Bob Kellemen, Academic Dean and Professor of Biblical Counseling, Faith Bible Seminary; author, Grief: Walking with Jesus

"Having done some work on Thomas Goodwin's Christology, I may be a little biased in saying that his work on Christ's heart is probably the finest work on practical Christology that exists in the English language. To see a present-day book do so well, which relies so heavily on Goodwin, makes my own heart leap for joy. I am sure Ortlund and I share the same desire for readers to also go to Goodwin's work and read his masterful treatment. Ortlund's book is a good entry to Goodwin."
-- Mark Jones, Senior Minister, Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, British Columbia

"Gentle and Lowly comes from the pen of someone who has not just profited from reading the Puritans--but who, more importantly, has read the Bible under their tutelage. One short book can never be enough to convey all the glory of the character of Christ, but this book deftly unpacks something we often overlook: Christ is meek and lowly in heart and gives rest to those who labor and are burdened. Written with pastoral gentleness and quiet beauty, it teases out what twenty biblical texts contribute to this portrait of the heart of Christ, all of it brought together to bring comfort, strength, and rest to believers."
--D. A. Carson, Theologian at Large, The Gospel Coalition

"In this timely work, Dane Ortlund directs our attention back to the person of Jesus. Centered on the Scriptures and drawing upon the best of the Puritan tradition, Ortlund helps us see the heart of God as it is revealed to us in Christ. He reminds us not only of Jesus's promises of rest and comfort, but of the Bible's vision of Jesus: a kind and gracious King."
--Russell Moore, Editor in Chief, Christianity Today; author, Losing Our Religion

"The title of this book immediately evoked within me a sense of longing, hope, and gratitude. The message it contains is a balm for every heart that feels pierced by sin or sorrow--whether from within or without. It is an invitation to experience the sweet consolations of a Savior who moves toward us with tenderness and grace, when we know we deserve just the opposite from him."
--Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, Founder and Bible Teacher, Revive Our Hearts

"On the rough, rocky, and often dark path between the 'already' and the 'not yet, ' there is nothing your weary heart needs more than to know the beauty of the heart of Jesus. It is that beauty that alone has the power to overwhelm all the ugly you will encounter along the way. I have read no book that more carefully, thoroughly, and tenderly displays Christ's heart than what Dane Ortlund has written. As if I was listening to a great symphony, I was moved in different ways in different passages but left each feeling hugely blessed to know that what was being described was the heart of my Savior, my Lord, my Friend, and my Redeemer. I can't think of anyone in the family of God who wouldn't be greatly helped by spending time seeing the heart of Jesus through the eyes of such a gifted guide as Ortlund."
--Paul David Tripp, author, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional

"The Puritans breathed Christ-centered practices: they embraced the Bible as a lifeline, exercised it like a muscle, and relied upon it like a bulletproof vest. They knew how to hate their sin without hating themselves because they understood that Christ's grace is an ever-present Person, a Person who understands our situation and our needs better than we do. They understood that we suffer because of sin. Dane Ortlund masterfully handles a treasure trove of Puritan wisdom and deftly presents it to the Christian reader. Read this book and pray that the Holy Spirit reveals Christ to you as the Puritans understood him, and you will be refreshed to understand God's grace in a whole new way."
--Rosaria Butterfield, former Professor of English and Women's Studies, Syracuse University; author, The Gospel Comes with a House Key and Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age

"'He is so strong that he can afford to be gentle.' That old movie line is more than a throwaway sentiment when we consider the theological precision and pastoral heart of Dane Ortlund describing God's heart toward those who are weak, weary, sin-sick, and despairing. The insights of Gentle and Lowly are truly a river of mercy flowing from the throne of God, through great pastors of the past, and into precious and powerful ministry for today."
--Bryan Chapell, Pastor Emeritus, Grace Presbyterian Church, Peoria, Illinois

"My life has been transformed by the beautiful, staggering truths in this book. Dane Ortlund lifts our eyes to see Christ's compassion-filled heart for sinners and sufferers, proving that Jesus is no reluctant savior but one who delights in showing his mercy. For any feeling bruised, weary, or empty, this is the balm for you."
--Michael Reeves, President and Professor of Theology, Union School of Theology, United Kingdom

"Only a few pages in I started to realize how unusual and essential this book is--it is an exposition of the very heart of Christ. The result is a book that astonishes us with the sheer abundance and capacity of his love for us. Breathtaking and healing in equal measure, it is already one of the best books I've read."
--Sam Allberry, Associate Pastor, Immanuel Nashville, Tennessee; author, One with My Lord

"Dane Ortlund writes about what seems too good to be true--the Lord delights to show mercy to you and to me--so he works very carefully through key texts and enlists the help of saints past. I was persuaded, and I look forward to being persuaded again and again."
--Edward T. Welch, Counselor and Faculty Member, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation; author, I Have a Psychiatric Diagnosis: What Does the Bible Say?

"Dane Ortlund leads us into the very heart of God incarnate--not only what Jesus did for us, but how he feels toward us. That's right: feels toward us. Anchored in Scripture and drawing on the Puritan Thomas Goodwin, this book is medicine for broken hearts."
--Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California

"Dane Ortlund helps us rediscover the heart of Jesus that is the very heart of the gospel. This delightful book opens up the sheer immensity of Jesus's tender love for us. As you immerse yourself in Christ's very heart, you'll find your own heart warmed at the fire of the love of God. Ortlund opens up a neglected theme among the Puritans (in bite-sized chunks that won't overwhelm you), where you'll discover their grasp of the beauty of Jesus's love. Your soul needs this book. I highly recommend it."
--Paul E. Miller, author, A Praying Life; J-Curve; and A Praying Church

"Gentle and Lowly is drawing me to the heart of Christ. It is helping me to draw the hearts of my counselees to Christ. Gentle and Lowly is the best book of the twenty-first century."
--Bob Kellemen, Academic Dean and Professor of Biblical Counseling, Faith Bible Seminary; author, Grief: Walking with Jesus

"Having done some work on Thomas Goodwin's Christology, I may be a little biased in saying that his work on Christ's heart is probably the finest work on practical Christology that exists in the English language. To see a present-day book do so well, which relies so heavily on Goodwin, makes my own heart leap for joy. I am sure Ortlund and I share the same desire for readers to also go to Goodwin's work and read his masterful treatment. Ortlund's book is a good entry to Goodwin."
--Mark Jones, Senior Minister, Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, British Columbia

Dane C. Ortlund (PhD, Wheaton College) serves as senior pastor of Naperville Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois. He is the author of Gentle and Lowly and Deeper. Dane and his wife, Stacey, have five children.

Introduction

1. His Very Heart
2. His Heart in Action
3. The Happiness of Christ
4. Able to Sympathize
5. He Can Deal Gently
6. I Will Never Cast Out
7. What Our Sins Evoke
8. To the Uttermost
9. An Advocate
10. The Beauty of the Heart of Christ
11. The Emotional Life of Christ
12. A Tender Friend
13. Why the Spirit?
14. Father of Mercies
15. His "Natural" Work and His "Strange" Work
16. The Lord, the Lord
17. His Ways Are Not Our Ways
18. Yearning Bowels
19. Rich in Mercy
20. Our Law-ish Hearts, His Lavish Heart
21. He Loved Us Then; He'll Love Us Now
22. To the End
23. Buried in His Heart Forevermore

Epilogue
Acknowledgments
General Index
Scripture Index

Pastor Dane Ortlund Explores Jesus's Heart to Reveal His Tender Love for Sinners and Sufferers

Christians know that God loves them, but can easily feel that he is perpetually disappointed and frustrated, maybe even close to giving up on them. As a result, they focus a lot--and rightly so--on what Jesus has done to appease God's wrath for sin. But how does Jesus Christ actually feel about his people amid all their sins and failures?

This book draws us to Matthew 11, where Jesus describes himself as "gentle and lowly in heart," longing for his people to find rest in him. The gospel flows from God's deepest heart for his people, a heart of tender love for the sinful and suffering.

These chapters take us into the depths of Christ's very heart for sinners, diving deep into Bible passages that speak of who Christ is and encouraging readers with the affections of Christ for his people. His longing heart for sinners comforts and sustains readers in their up-and-down lives.

• Draws on Writings from the Puritans: Including Thomas Goodwin, Richard Sibbes, John Bunyan, John Owen, and others
• Provides a Unique Perspective: Confronts readers' typical thoughts on God's heart
• Scripture-Based: Explores passages throughout the whole Bible to get a full picture of God's heart for sinners

Contributor Bio:Ortlund, Dane

Dane C. Ortlund (PhD, Wheaton College) serves as senior pastor of Naperville Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois. He is the author of Gentle and Lowly and Deeper. Dane and his wife, Stacey, have five children.