Chapter 1: Jesus - "Deeper" by Dane Ortlund

Preparing Your Heart: Jesus

Before you begin reading this first chapter, take a moment to consider your current mental image of Jesus Christ. If someone were to ask you to describe Jesus in a few words, what would you say? Most of us carry a mental picture of Jesus that has been shaped by our experiences, church background, and even popular culture - but how complete is this picture?

In this opening chapter, Dane Ortlund invites us to expand our vision of who Jesus truly is. He suggests that many Christians unwittingly operate with a "junior varsity Jesus" - a reduced, domesticated version that fits neatly within our comfort zones and expectations. But the Jesus revealed in Scripture is infinitely more complex, surprising, and wonderful than we often allow Him to be.

As you read, prepare to have your understanding of Jesus both challenged and enriched. Be open to discovering facets of Christ's character that you may have overlooked or underemphasized. The goal isn't merely to add theological information about Jesus, but to see Him more clearly and love Him more deeply. For our growth in Christ will never outpace our vision of Christ.

Before You Read

If you were to draw a portrait of Jesus based on your current understanding, which attributes would be most prominent? Which might be missing entirely?
How might your spiritual growth be limited if your view of Jesus is incomplete or reduced in some way?

Jesus: The Unsearchable Christ

This first chapter establishes the foundation of all Christian growth: a clearer vision of who Jesus truly is. Growth in Christ requires that we see Jesus in His fullness, not a reduced or domesticated version.

"Have we unintentionally reduced [Jesus] to manageable, predictable proportions? Have we been looking at a junior varsity, decaffeinated, one-dimensional Jesus of our own making, thinking we're looking at the real Jesus?" - Dane Ortlund

Seven Facets of Christ

Ortlund explores seven aspects of Christ that may be under-explored in our generation:

Ruling - Jesus exercises supreme authority over the entire universe. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matt. 28:18).
Saving - Jesus is not merely helping but fully rescuing. We are not wounded but dead in our trespasses and we need resurrection.
Befriending - Jesus calls us friends. "No longer do I call you servants... but I have called you friends" (John 15:15).
Persevering - Jesus never gives up on His people. "Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end" (John 13:1).
Interceding - Jesus continues to work for us even now in heaven. He "always lives to make intercession" for us (Heb. 7:25).
Returning - Jesus will come back to make all things right.
Tender - Jesus describes himself as "gentle and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:29). This is the deepest truth about Him.

Our growth in Christ is stunted when we lose sight of the full, glorious nature of who Jesus is. We will grow only as our vision of Jesus expands and deepens.

"The first thing I want to make clear here, early in this book, is that the real Jesus is gentle and lowly in heart. I say the real Jesus because we all unwittingly dilute him."

Discussion Questions

If you could spend an afternoon with any historical figure who ever lived (besides Jesus), who would you choose and what one question would you most want to ask them? What does your answer reveal about what you value?
In what ways might you have "domesticated" Jesus in your own thinking?
Which of the seven facets of Christ most surprised you? Which do you need to focus on more?
How does seeing Jesus as both ruling in supreme authority AND tender/gentle change how you approach Him?
What would it look like to respond to Jesus's tenderness in your daily life?
How might your growth change if you focused on "seeing Jesus" more than "trying harder"?

Application

Choose one facet of Christ from this chapter that you tend to minimize. Throughout this week, look for verses in Scripture that highlight this attribute and write them down. Begin each day by meditating on one of these verses, asking God to deepen your appreciation of this aspect of Jesus.