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The Heart of Jesus: How He Really Feels about You
Concise Edition of Dane Ortlund’s Book Gentle and Lowly, Edited for Young Readers, New Christians, and Seekers
When Christians struggle with sin, they can easily feel that God is close to giving up on them. But in Matthew 11, Jesus describes himself as “gentle and lowly in heart,” longing for believers to find rest in him. The good news of the gospel flows from God’s deepest love for his people.
In this concise book adapted from the bestselling Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund, readers will encounter Jesus’s tender heart for sinners and sufferers. Written for a wide audience—including younger readers, new Christians, and those just beginning to explore the Christian faith—it features easy-to-read terms and helpful explanations. The chapters are also short enough to read at bedtime, around the dinner table, or during lunchtime. The Heart of Jesus dives deep into Bible passages that speak of who Christ is, comforting and sustaining readers with the affections of Christ for his people.
Adapted from Gentle and Smaller chapters and sentences are ideal for younger readers and busy families, as well as those who might have difficulty reading a longer book Provides a Unique Confronts readers’ typical thoughts on God’s heart Explores passages throughout the whole Bible to give readers a full picture of God’s heart for sinners
When Christians struggle with sin, they can easily feel that God is close to giving up on them. But in Matthew 11, Jesus describes himself as “gentle and lowly in heart,” longing for believers to find rest in him. The good news of the gospel flows from God’s deepest love for his people.
In this concise book adapted from the bestselling Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund, readers will encounter Jesus’s tender heart for sinners and sufferers. Written for a wide audience—including younger readers, new Christians, and those just beginning to explore the Christian faith—it features easy-to-read terms and helpful explanations. The chapters are also short enough to read at bedtime, around the dinner table, or during lunchtime. The Heart of Jesus dives deep into Bible passages that speak of who Christ is, comforting and sustaining readers with the affections of Christ for his people.
Adapted from Gentle and Smaller chapters and sentences are ideal for younger readers and busy families, as well as those who might have difficulty reading a longer book Provides a Unique Confronts readers’ typical thoughts on God’s heart Explores passages throughout the whole Bible to give readers a full picture of God’s heart for sinners
128 pages, Paperback
Published August 20, 2024
About the author
Dane C. Ortlund
115 books764 followersDane C. Ortlund (PhD, Wheaton College) is chief publishing officer and Bible publisher at Crossway. He serves as 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 and Edwards on the Christian Life. He is an elder at Naperville Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois. Dane lives with his wife, Stacey, and their five children in Wheaton, Illinois.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
October 29, 2024
This whole book would be highlighted ✍🏽
May 19, 2025
Dane Ortlund’s "The Heart of Jesus" is a remarkable feat of theological condensation. Imagine your absolute favorite treat, its essence intensified into a single, delightful bite—that's what Ortlund has achieved. Drawing from the extensive, invaluable writings of Puritan Thomas Goodwin on Christ's affection, he offers a shorter, accessible version akin to a teen booklet, sharing the same rich core. (Also, for those familiar with “Gentle and Lowly” by Dane Ortlund, this is a further condensation of that material.)
This book unpacks the deep, tender heart of Christ for His people with clarity and power. My only slight reservation is the book's understated, pastel cover, which, while perhaps elegant, might not immediately capture the attention of younger readers, potentially causing them to miss this transformative work.
~ Jen
This book unpacks the deep, tender heart of Christ for His people with clarity and power. My only slight reservation is the book's understated, pastel cover, which, while perhaps elegant, might not immediately capture the attention of younger readers, potentially causing them to miss this transformative work.
~ Jen
April 18, 2025
A concise version of one of my favorite books Gentle & Lowly. I read this one very slow to soak in these truths. The chapters are short, which helped me to savor the truths about Jesus’ heart. Highly recommend. Will be a book I come back to often.
November 17, 2024
“𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘤𝘬, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴: 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘺. 𝘚𝘰 𝘨𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 .
𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦. 𝘎𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘮. ‘𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥.’”
A simple, clear, and concise look of the well known Gentle and Lowly. This book is specifically for teens and younger readers. It goes right to the heart of a young person that needs to see God’s love no matter what! They can rest in him regardless of anything going on!
I am pressing this book into the hands of my teens and then all the teens I know. I wonder how my heart and life would have been different if I had grasped this early on?
👉🏽 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿: all young readers who love Jesus and long to serve him.
💬*𝙈𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠.*
💬𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵:𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴/
Thank you Crossway for this book!!
𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦. 𝘎𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘮. ‘𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥.’”
A simple, clear, and concise look of the well known Gentle and Lowly. This book is specifically for teens and younger readers. It goes right to the heart of a young person that needs to see God’s love no matter what! They can rest in him regardless of anything going on!
I am pressing this book into the hands of my teens and then all the teens I know. I wonder how my heart and life would have been different if I had grasped this early on?
👉🏽 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿: all young readers who love Jesus and long to serve him.
💬*𝙈𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠.*
💬𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵:𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴/
Thank you Crossway for this book!!
June 15, 2025
4.5 🌟
Only because I absolutely LOVED Gentle and Lowly, and while this captures the main points from that book, there was just something about that book the first time I read it. So so thankful it exists!
This book was really wonderful though. While I knew it was about the heart of Christ, I did not expect (or remember, from Gentle & Lowly) the chapters about the heart of the Father. Such such such great & needed reminders.
I am grateful for the length of this book, as it makes it one I can easily come back to, and the ability to read the chapters in short sittings also helps. This was a great book, but I think anyone who wants to read this should just go ahead and read Gentle and Lowly.
Only because I absolutely LOVED Gentle and Lowly, and while this captures the main points from that book, there was just something about that book the first time I read it. So so thankful it exists!
This book was really wonderful though. While I knew it was about the heart of Christ, I did not expect (or remember, from Gentle & Lowly) the chapters about the heart of the Father. Such such such great & needed reminders.
I am grateful for the length of this book, as it makes it one I can easily come back to, and the ability to read the chapters in short sittings also helps. This was a great book, but I think anyone who wants to read this should just go ahead and read Gentle and Lowly.
June 11, 2026
A wonderful book
December 16, 2025
Concise, refreshing, delightful.
"That God is rich in mercy means that your regions of deepest shame and regret are not hotels through which divine mercy passes but homes in which divine mercy abides...it means on that day when we stand before him, quietly, unhurriedly, we will weep with relief shocked at how shallow a view of his mercy-rich heart we had" (88).
"That God is rich in mercy means that your regions of deepest shame and regret are not hotels through which divine mercy passes but homes in which divine mercy abides...it means on that day when we stand before him, quietly, unhurriedly, we will weep with relief shocked at how shallow a view of his mercy-rich heart we had" (88).
October 31, 2025
This is a concise version of Gentle and Lowly. I read this with a teenager as a bible study and it would also be great for evangelism/new believer. I really enjoyed it and appreciated the simple truths of the gospel for myself.
February 24, 2026
“The posture most natural to [Jesus] is not a pointed finger of accusation but open arms of embrace”
This book felt like a warm hug from Jesus & is a must read for all !
This book felt like a warm hug from Jesus & is a must read for all !
August 16, 2024
{Thank you to @crosswaybooks for my gifted copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.}
“Gentle and Lowly” by this author is one of my favorite books. I was thrilled when I learned that Dane Ortlund was writing this concise version of that book, geared towards younger readers, seekers, and new Christians.
I read this short, powerful book in a single day and loved it. The chapters are each only a few pages long but absolutely packed with deep theological truth about the heart of Christ for sinners. Dane Ortlund has an incredible ability to explain deep and complex theological ideas in a way that is both easy to read and understand. This book is no different. I was interested to see if he would be able to fully convey all that he had been able to in Gentle and Lowly in this format. I believe he was successful!
This book was full of scripture. I loved that the author also included writing from the Puritans, such as Thomas Goodwin, throughout.
I love Ortlund’s works and am thrilled about this newest title! Highly recommend!
“Gentle and Lowly” by this author is one of my favorite books. I was thrilled when I learned that Dane Ortlund was writing this concise version of that book, geared towards younger readers, seekers, and new Christians.
I read this short, powerful book in a single day and loved it. The chapters are each only a few pages long but absolutely packed with deep theological truth about the heart of Christ for sinners. Dane Ortlund has an incredible ability to explain deep and complex theological ideas in a way that is both easy to read and understand. This book is no different. I was interested to see if he would be able to fully convey all that he had been able to in Gentle and Lowly in this format. I believe he was successful!
This book was full of scripture. I loved that the author also included writing from the Puritans, such as Thomas Goodwin, throughout.
I love Ortlund’s works and am thrilled about this newest title! Highly recommend!
January 24, 2025
This book made me cry happy and sweet tears several times!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone. It’s just a great reminder of how loving and kind Jesus is and His heart for people!
October 27, 2024
This makes me have FOMO for not reading "Gentle and Lowly."
Ortlund says the Christian life is comprised of two things.
1. Come to Jesus
2. See point 1
Christ's heart was magnified in this book; that is a massive understatement.
Ortlund says the Christian life is comprised of two things.
1. Come to Jesus
2. See point 1
Christ's heart was magnified in this book; that is a massive understatement.
June 24, 2025
A soothing balm to the soul ✨
May 21, 2026
So good for my heart right now! My fav quote from the book is from the last page “As God did not at first choose you because you were high, he will not now forsake you because you are low”
March 20, 2026
simply delightful.
June 28, 2026
I listened to this on audio, and so many times I found myself getting choked up and holding back tears. We often project our own feelings onto how we think Jesus feels about us, but we don’t truly understand just how much He loves us. His grace and love are overwhelming.
This book brought so much comfort to my soul and was such a beautiful reminder that the Lord is always with us, caring for us, loving us, protecting us no matter what and that nothing and no one will ever snatch us out of His hand and nothing will ever seperate us from the love of God. (John 10:28-29 and Romans 8:38-39).
This book brought so much comfort to my soul and was such a beautiful reminder that the Lord is always with us, caring for us, loving us, protecting us no matter what and that nothing and no one will ever snatch us out of His hand and nothing will ever seperate us from the love of God. (John 10:28-29 and Romans 8:38-39).
September 3, 2024
I didn’t realize this was a condensed version of G&L when I first ordered it, but I’m so glad I read it anyway! I have been wanting to reread G&L for a while, but this I was able to read in 24hrs and feel just as encouraged and strengthened by the truths presented as I did when I first read G&L. This is definitely great to keep in mind for new believers or even those walking through a tough time who don’t have much capacity for reading something longer. So thankful for this little book.
January 27, 2025
I loved Gentle and Lowly but found it hard to recommend to some people because they found it too dense. So I'm thankful this has the same substance but in a more approachable format and length for some readers. I listened to the audiobook for this one, read by the author, and it was well done.
March 19, 2025
Listened to this audiobook since I had to drive to crossville and back twice yesterday. Super quick 2 hr audiobook and I didn’t realize this book is a condensed version of gentle and lowly until I started it lol which I have already read. Definitely a great read for someone who needs reminders about the truth of Gods love and heart for his people
April 3, 2025
i absolutely loved this little book. this book is just over 100 pages with 18 short chapters (i read about 1 chapter every few days) & it was such a perfect way to set the tone for my devotions. its essentially a condensed version of gentle & lowly with each chapter focusing on an aspect of who christ is. it was comforting, it was encouraging, & it was exactly what a i needed. everyday, simple reminders of who christ is. id recommend to anyone.
July 4, 2025
5 ⭐️
This was a somewhat condensed/somewhat altered version of Gentle and Lowly, and I enjoyed this read as a review of the other. This was a very encouraging and uplifting read that reminded me of Jesus’ heart towards his people.
This was a somewhat condensed/somewhat altered version of Gentle and Lowly, and I enjoyed this read as a review of the other. This was a very encouraging and uplifting read that reminded me of Jesus’ heart towards his people.
July 10, 2025
went to re-read Gentle and Lowly and stumbled upon this concise version and am so glad that I did! such a great reminder of the truth of God’s heart for us… will likely be coming back to this again at some point!
May 26, 2025
this was so good. a life changing book honestly. thank you God 😭😭🩷🩷🩷
January 9, 2026
Short book packed with so much truth.
This is the perfect book to hand to a seasoned believer for a baby Christian. I really felt the authors heart for the Father through the words penned in this book.
This will be a book I hand out to everyone. It has rich theology through each small chapter.
This is the perfect book to hand to a seasoned believer for a baby Christian. I really felt the authors heart for the Father through the words penned in this book.
This will be a book I hand out to everyone. It has rich theology through each small chapter.
January 31, 2026
Very encouraging and just precious reminders of Christ and his heart. Read this if you can!
“Jesus loves to the end”
“Jesus loves to the end”
August 22, 2024
Thank you Crossway for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!
Synopsis:
Essentially a mini-version of Gentle and Lowly.
My thoughts:
Loved it! It's concise, brief, and a great starting point for new and seasoned believers! It's so encouraging and restoring to read about God's heart for his people and his deepest love for us. I'm always so blessed by Ortlund's words.
Read if you like:
• short/concise nonfiction
• Gentle and Lowly
• deep, rich biblical theology
My rating:
5/5 stars
Synopsis:
Essentially a mini-version of Gentle and Lowly.
My thoughts:
Loved it! It's concise, brief, and a great starting point for new and seasoned believers! It's so encouraging and restoring to read about God's heart for his people and his deepest love for us. I'm always so blessed by Ortlund's words.
Read if you like:
• short/concise nonfiction
• Gentle and Lowly
• deep, rich biblical theology
My rating:
5/5 stars
January 5, 2026
Small, short chapters with deep, rich topics.
I re-read the first chapter alone several times, its contents really impacted me. I wish everyone could read that one short chapter, I’ve never heard such a simple explanation of the Heart of Christ.
I re-read the first chapter alone several times, its contents really impacted me. I wish everyone could read that one short chapter, I’ve never heard such a simple explanation of the Heart of Christ.
January 16, 2026
How can you give a book on the tender and perfect heart of Jesus anything other than 5 ⭐️? Gentle and Lowly Lite, super easy to digest and a quick read. This is one of those books worth revisiting every year to remember on his beautiful and wonderful heart.
February 1, 2026
I picked this up to go thru as a devotional with our 3 teenage kids and it has been such a great experience for them, and me. It breaks down much of the content in Gentle and Lowly into an easily digestible and broken down format.
I loved that my kids could learn such amazing insight into the heart of Jesus and highly recommend this for families. I’ve already seen its impact in their conversation and questions they ask following the chapters. It’s been so encouraging as a mom, wanting my kids to truly grasp Jesus’ heart for them personally, in a better way than I ever did when I was their age or even most of my adult life.
I loved that my kids could learn such amazing insight into the heart of Jesus and highly recommend this for families. I’ve already seen its impact in their conversation and questions they ask following the chapters. It’s been so encouraging as a mom, wanting my kids to truly grasp Jesus’ heart for them personally, in a better way than I ever did when I was their age or even most of my adult life.
July 17, 2026
June 5, 2026:
Such an encouraging book! This is a more concise version of the book "gentle and lowly" (which I'm also hoping to read) and I found it so helpful in exploring what the heart of Jesus looks like. Let's just say that by the time I finished, my book had many dog ears (yes, I'm one of those people!) from all the things I wanted to take away as I ended my read.
Such an encouraging book! This is a more concise version of the book "gentle and lowly" (which I'm also hoping to read) and I found it so helpful in exploring what the heart of Jesus looks like. Let's just say that by the time I finished, my book had many dog ears (yes, I'm one of those people!) from all the things I wanted to take away as I ended my read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews