The more closely we follow Jesus, the more His heart should shape our own. Over the next seven mornings, take a few minutes to look at one aspect of Jesus' heart, reflect on what it reveals about Him, and consider how His heart can increasingly become yours.
Day 1 — A Heart of Compassion
Scripture: Matthew 9:35–36
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Jesus didn't simply see crowds. He saw people.
Where others might have seen interruptions, problems, or people who should have known better, Jesus saw what was happening beneath the surface. He saw their hurt, confusion, and need, and His heart moved toward them.
It's easy to see someone's behavior without considering their story. We can become frustrated with people
before becoming curious about what they may be carrying.
Seeking the heart of Jesus means learning to see people the way He does.
For Today - 
Before judging someone's actions today, pause and ask: What might this person be carrying that I cannot
see?
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Day 2 — A Gentle and Humble Heart
Scripture: Matthew 11:28–30
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.”
Of all the ways Jesus could have described Himself, He chose these words: gentle and humble in heart.
But notice His invitation: “Learn from me.” Jesus isn't simply telling us what He is like so we can admire Him
from a distance. He invites us to follow Him closely enough that His heart begins to shape ours.
Jesus possessed all authority, yet He didn't need to prove His importance. He didn't use His strength to
elevate Himself. His strength made it possible for weary and burdened people to come near Him.
Humility isn't thinking less of ourselves. It is becoming less consumed with ourselves. Gentleness isn't
weakness. It is strength that doesn't need to dominate.
A disciple is becoming like the teacher. The closer we follow Jesus, the more His gentleness and humility
should become visible in us.
For Today - 
Ask yourself: Where could I choose humility over recognition or gentleness over proving my point today?
What might Jesus be trying to teach me about His heart?
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Day 3 — A Heart Concerned With What Is Inside
Scripture: Matthew 23:23–28
“You have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.”
Jesus reserved some of His strongest words for religious people.
The Pharisees cared deeply about obedience. They paid careful attention to religious practices and outward behavior. But Jesus repeatedly challenged them because something could look right on the outside while being very different on the inside.
Jesus wasn't telling them that obedience didn't matter. In fact, He told them they should continue doing what was right. But He warned them that they had become meticulous about some things while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
That warning is easy to apply to someone else. It's much harder to let it examine us.
We can attend church, know Scripture, hold the right convictions, serve faithfully, and still allow pride,
bitterness, judgment, selfishness, or a lack of mercy to grow inside us.
Jesus isn't only interested in whether our behavior looks right. He wants our hearts.
Following Jesus means allowing Him to continually examine not only what we do, but why we do it and who we are becoming.
For Today -
Instead of evaluating someone else's spiritual life, ask Jesus: What is happening in my heart that You want
to change?
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Day 4 — A Heart of Mercy
Scripture: John 8:3–11
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Jesus refused to choose between grace and truth.
The woman standing before Him had sinned. Jesus didn't pretend otherwise. But while everyone else seemed interested in using her failure to condemn her, Jesus responded differently.
He protected her dignity, extended mercy, and still called her toward a different life.
Sometimes we assume that taking sin seriously requires being harsh. Jesus shows us something better. We
can hold firmly to truth while treating broken people with mercy.
And that matters because every one of us depends upon that same mercy.
For Today -
Consider someone whose mistakes frustrate you. Ask: How can I respond with both truth and mercy?
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Day 5 — A Servant Heart
Scripture: John 13:3–5
“So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.”
Jesus knew exactly who He was.
John tells us that Jesus knew the Father had placed all things under His power. And what did Jesus do with that knowledge? He picked up a towel.
Jesus didn't use His position to demand service. He used His position to serve.
We often associate significance with being noticed, respected, or influential. Jesus turns that upside down. In His Kingdom, greatness isn't measured by how many people serve us but by our willingness to serve others.
For Today -
Do something helpful today that no one needs to know you did.
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Day 6 — A Heart That Forgives
Scripture: Luke 23:33–34
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Jesus spoke these words while being crucified.
Forgiveness is easy to admire from a distance and much harder when someone has actually wounded us.
Jesus doesn't minimize evil or pretend pain isn't real. But He refuses to allow the sins of others to transform
His heart into one filled with hatred and bitterness.
Forgiveness doesn't always restore trust immediately. It doesn't mean boundaries are unnecessary. But it
does mean we surrender our desire to make another person pay.
The heart of Jesus doesn't simply receive forgiveness. It learns to extend it.
For Today -
Ask God to reveal any resentment you're carrying. Pray: Jesus, help me forgive as I have been forgiven.
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Day 7 — A Heart Surrendered to the Father
Scripture: Luke 22:39–42
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane gives us one of the clearest pictures of His heart.
Jesus knew what was ahead. He didn't pretend it wasn't painful, and He didn't hide what He wanted. He spoke honestly to His Father.
But He didn't stop there: “Yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Throughout Jesus' life, we see this same posture. He said He came not to do His own will, but the will of the Father. He said He did what pleased the Father. His life was not driven simply by what was comfortable,
convenient, or desirable.
Jesus loved the Father, trusted the Father, wanted to please the Father, and was surrendered to the Father's will.
Seeking the heart of Jesus means more than becoming compassionate, humble, merciful, and loving toward people. It also means increasingly wanting what God wants, trusting Him when His way is difficult, and surrendering our own will to His.
Sometimes the most Christlike prayer we can pray is also one of the hardest: “Not my will, but Yours.”
For Today -
What is one area where you are struggling to surrender what you want to God? Honestly tell Him what you
want, and then ask for the heart to trust Him with the outcome.