When we think of the heart in human terms, we usually refer to either biology or our emotional state. It's the central organ in our cardiovascular system pumping blood throughout the body, or it is used colloquially to summarize our passions and feelings. But the Bible uses the term in a completely different sense. It is used almost 1,000 times throughout the Bible as a "comprehensive term that captures the totality and unity of our inner nature."(1) It is a complex summary of our mind, desires, and will functioning together to define our existence. In other words, the heart reflects the essence of who we are and determines what we do or how we live.
When it comes to Jesus, we thankfully don't have to wonder who he is. He tells us plainly as he describes his heart in the Gospel of Matthew. "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Why? Jesus responds, because "I am gentle and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:28-29). Nowhere else in Scripture do we find the Son of God so candidly conveying his heart toward humanity. As author Dane Ortlund remarks, "If we are asked to say only one thing about who Jesus is, we would be honoring Jesus's own teaching if our answer is, gentle and lowly."(2) Jesus, the King of the Universe, full of glory and power—who by his very words spoke the world into existence—is in his essence humble, meek, kind, and approachable. And because of this reality, he invites us to draw near to him.
But Jesus not only tells us who he is, he graciously proves it repeatedly throughout the Gospels. His actions confirm and verify the self-description of his heart. "What he is, he does. He cannot act any other way."(3) When we consider the total weight of the Scripture's witness, we find that Jesus "moves toward, touches, heals, embraces, and forgives those who least deserve it."(4) Lepers, prostitutes, drunkards, tax collectors, thieves—his gentle and lowly heart thrust Jesus toward the broken and destitute—suffering sinners who need him most. And he continues to do so today. His heart toward humanity has not changed. He is just as gentle and lowly as he was when he walked the dusty roads of Jerusalem.
In this teaching series, The Heart of Jesus, we will consider who Jesus is as we explore his actions throughout the Gospels. How Jesus lives and interacts with the brokenness of this world flows directly from his heart—who he is determines and directs what he does. As we study several well-known stories retold by his disciples, we will find a Savior who cares deeply, loves profoundly, and serves sincerely.
But more than simply understanding who he is and what he's done, we are being invited to experience him afresh in personal and intimate ways. Join us as we ponder the heart of Jesus for us—the humble, meek, kind, and approachable Savior who whispers to us once again: "Come to me...for I am gentle and lowly in heart."
SERIES BREAKDOWN:
Week 1: Jesus at the Wedding at Cana – John 2:1-12
Week 2: Jesus and Zaccheus – Luke 19:1-10
Week 3: Jesus and the Man at the Pool – John 5:1-20
Week 4: Jesus Walks on the Water – Matthew 14:22-33
Week 5: Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers – Luke 17:11-19
(1) A. Craig Troxel, With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will Toward Christ (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020), pg. 17-19.
(2) Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020), pg. 21.
(3) Ibid., pg. 25.
(4) Ibid., pg. 27.