Do Not Be Envious of Jesus

Note from today’s Bible reading: Matthew 27

After Jesus was arrested and went through the mock trial before the high priest, he was bound and brought before Pilate the governor (Matthew 27:2). Upon examining Him, Pilate concluded that Jesus had done nothing wrong and attempted to release Him.

Pilate recognized the reason why the Jews brought Jesus before him: “For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over” (Matthew 27:18). The chief priests and elders desired the attention, praise, and honor that Jesus was receiving from the people. They were not happy that Jesus was receiving this instead of them.

In their envy, these leaders were willing to accept the release of “a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas” (Matthew 27:16) rather than allow Jesus to be freed. They were willing to have the blame for Jesus’ death placed upon them and their children (Matthew 27:25).

It is amazing that anyone would reject Jesus like this with everything that He did to help others and to prove that He was the Son of God. Yet the rulers wanted praise for themselves rather than accepting Jesus and directing others to Him. If we are not careful, we can be guilty of the same attitude today if we have a greater desire to receive the praise of men than to direct them to the Lord.

So do not be envious of Jesus. He is the Lord and the Savior of the world. Let us be more diligent in pointing people to Him than in elevating ourselves.