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The Desire of Ages
representative of God. While Mary was a sinner pardoned, he was a
sinner unpardoned. The rigid rule of justice he had desired to enforce
against her condemned him.
Simon was touched by the kindness of Jesus in not openly rebuking
him before the guests. He had not been treated as he desired Mary to
be treated. He saw that Jesus did not wish to expose his guilt to others,
but sought by a true statement of the case to convince his mind, and by
pitying kindness to subdue his heart. Stern denunciation would have
hardened Simon against repentance, but patient admonition convinced
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him of his error. He saw the magnitude of the debt which he owed his
Lord. His pride was humbled, he repented, and the proud Pharisee
became a lowly, self-sacrificing disciple.
Mary had been looked upon as a great sinner, but Christ knew the
circumstances that had shaped her life. He might have extinguished
every spark of hope in her soul, but He did not. It was He who had
lifted her from despair and ruin. Seven times she had heard His rebuke
of the demons that controlled her heart and mind. She had heard His
strong cries to the Father in her behalf. She knew how offensive is sin
to His unsullied purity, and in His strength she had overcome.
When to human eyes her case appeared hopeless, Christ saw in
Mary capabilities for good. He saw the better traits of her character.
The plan of redemption has invested humanity with great possibilities,
and in Mary these possibilities were to be realized. Through His grace
she became a partaker of the divine nature. The one who had fallen,
and whose mind had been a habitation of demons, was brought very
near to the Saviour in fellowship and ministry. It was Mary who sat
at His feet and learned of Him. It was Mary who poured upon His
head the precious anointing oil, and bathed His feet with her tears.
Mary stood beside the cross, and followed Him to the sepulcher. Mary
was first at the tomb after His resurrection. It was Mary who first
proclaimed a risen Saviour.
Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. You may say, I am
sinful, very sinful. You may be; but the worse you are, the more you
need Jesus. He turns no weeping, contrite one away. He does not tell
to any all that He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul take
courage. Freely will He pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness
and restoration.