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Humble Hero

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Jesus Was Never Really Appreciated

When Jesus was no longer with them and they felt like sheep without a shepherd, they began to see how they could have brought gladness to His heart. They no longer heaped blame on Mary, but on themselves. Oh, if they could have taken back their criticism, presenting the poor as more worthy of the gift than Christ! They felt the reproof keenly as they took the bruised body of their Lord from the cross. HH 260.6

Today, few appreciate all that Christ is to them. If they did, they would express the great love of Mary. They would think that nothing was too costly to give for Christ, no self-denial or self-sacrifice too great to endure for His sake. HH 260.7

The words spoken in indignation, “Why this waste?” brought vividly before Christ the greatest sacrifice ever made—the gift of Himself as the atoning sacrifice for a lost world. From a human point of view, the plan of salvation is a reckless waste of mercies and resources. The heavenly universe properly looks with amazement on the human family who refuse the riches of the boundless love expressed in Christ. Well may they exclaim, “Why this great waste?” HH 260.8

But the atonement for a lost world was to be full, abundant, and complete. Christ’s offering could not be restricted to just the number of people who would accept the Gift. The plan of redemption is not a waste because it does not accomplish all that its liberality has provided for. There must be enough, and more than enough. HH 260.9

Simon the host was surprised at Jesus’ response, and he said in his heart, “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” HH 260.10

Because Christ allowed this woman to approach Him, because He did not reject her indignantly as someone whose sins were too great to be forgiven, because He did not show that He realized she had fallen, Simon was tempted to think that Christ was not a prophet. But it was Simon’s ignorance of God and of Christ that led him to think as he did. HH 261.1