"Said Matthew one day: 'The more you understand some people, the less you admire them, but of this man, even the less I comprehend him, the more I love him.' ” 138:7.6 (1544.5)
Human beings often admire what they can understand. In everyday life, familiarity tends to breed comfort, while deeper knowledge of a person sometimes reveals flaws that diminish admiration. Yet there are rare individuals whose lives evoke the opposite reaction: the more we encounter their character, the more our respect and affection grow—even when their depth remains beyond our full comprehension.
Such was the experience many had with Jesus. His life revealed a quality of character so profoundly balanced—firm yet compassionate, wise yet approachable, powerful yet humble—that those around him often struggled to fully grasp the source of his greatness. Instead of diminishing their admiration, this mystery only deepened their love and devotion. His life demonstrated that true spiritual authority is not enforced through dominance but expressed through love, service, and understanding.
This kind of influence still speaks to humanity today. The most transformative lives are not always those we fully explain, but those we experience. When goodness, patience, and love are consistently lived, they awaken something in others that goes beyond intellect. The heart recognizes authenticity even when the mind cannot completely define it.