THE SIN OF ENVY – MARK 15:6-15
1. Mark 15:10 – Pilate knew that the chief priest had handed Jesus over to him because of envy.
2. Envy is : a) the feeling of displeasure
b) Effected by pain with anothers success
c) To grudge someone who is successful
d) To harbor hatred against another
THE THREE – FOLD PICTURE OF ENVY
1. Conception of envy:
a) They rejected Jesus because of his fame that spread throughout the land.
b) Jesus performed the greatest miracle by raising Lazarus from the dead.
c) The chief priest stirred up the crowd – envy is inflammable, it burns like coal and spreads like wildfire – getting out of control.
d) A christian may be impeccable in religious life and refuse the seductions of the flesh – but let him/her hear his brother or sister is promoted – jealousy will emerge like wildfire.
CONSEQUENCES OF ENVY
1. Envy distorts true sense of value.
2. V11 – they asked for the release of Barabbus
3. Barabbus was a prisoner condemned for insurrection and murder.
4. They wanted a robber instead of a giver – a sinner instead of a savior – a killer instead of a healer – a peace breaker instead of peace maker.
5. Once a person is mesmerized by envy he will stoop to any level of sin.
ENVY DESTROYS A TRUE VIRTUOUS LIFE
1. Everyone knew of the virtuous life of Jesus.
2. In him God’s character was totalized.
3. He manifested the fruit of the Spirit.
4. Pilate said – I find no fault in Him.
5. Demons declare – He is the Holy Son of God.
6. Envy poisons the reputation / character of another person.
THE CONQUEST OF ENVY
1. The crowd said in V31 – mockingly, He saved others, but Himself he cannot save.
2. Motivated by envy and blinded, Men spoke words that were true.
3. Jesus said in Luke 9:24 – Whosoever desires to save his life will lose it – whoever loses his life will save it.
4. This is the principle of life and death.
5. If the Savior came down from the cross – everyone of those murderers would have been consigned to hell without grace, forgiveness or hope – instead Jesus prayed – ” Father forgive them”…