Every human enterprise sinks into insignificance when compared with the advent of Christ upon the earth. What occasion for joy had the disciples who were permitted to walk and talk with the Majesty of Heaven! Happy were they who had the Prince of Peace in their very midst, bestowing upon them daily new mercies and blessings. Why should they mourn and fast? It was more fitting for them to mourn who rejected the Saviour and closed their eyes and ears to his divine teachings, who turned from the peace and joy of infinite love and truth. The treasure of Heaven was entrusted to them for a time, and they, heedless of the gift, chose bondage and darkness rather than freedom and light through Christ. {2SP 191.4}

Ethvert menneskeligt foretagende er ubetydeligt sammenlignet med, at Gud sendte sin Søn (192) til verden. Hvilken glæde det var for disciplene at vandre og tale med himlens majestæt! Salige var de, som havde fredens fyrste iblandt sig, der daglig bragte dem nye nådesbevisninger og nye velsignelser! Hvorfor skulle de sørge og faste? Det sømmede sig bedre for dem at faste, som forkastede Frelseren, lukkede deres øjne og øren for hans guddommelige lære og vendte sig bort fra den fred og glæde, som den evige sandhed og kærlighed bragte dem. Guds gave blev dem betroet en kort tid; men de foragtede den og valgte hellere trældom og mørke end den frihed og det lys, som Kristus bragte.