“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” (John 1:10, NASB)
This is a truly heartbreaking verse. Consider what is being communicated. It was through Christ, somehow, that all things were made. That means it was through Christ that mankind was created. He was intimately involved in forming man from the dust and breathing life into him. Now, He has come to the world, incarnate, and the very world He made does not even recognize Him.
Have you ever felt alone in a crowd of people? Have you ever felt unnoticed and unappreciated? Maybe you have given so much of yourself to others only to find out they don’t even notice or care. Your Lord has walked that path. He knows and can sympathize with you.
But why did He put up with it? I know what my temptation is when I've done so much for someone who doesn't appreciate it. I want to say, “forget them”, and move on. Why didn't Jesus do that? He wasn't done giving of Himself. At first, He poured out His love in creation. Then, He came to pour out His love in redemption.
Here is the convicting part of this. Christ sympathizes with us when we are offended. But we were the ones who offended Him. Do not be too quick to cast others out when they offend you or fail to appreciate you. Our Lord did not cast us out, though we failed to recognize the One who gave us our very life and breath.