Though thoroughly Protestant, it is nonetheless valuable to learn from other traditions. In one such tradition there are “Seven Deadly Sins.” They are the following:

• Pride
• Greed
• Lust
• Envy
• Gluttony
• Wrath
• Sloth

It’s the fourth one I want to focus upon here. Why? It’s because envy is the word used in Scripture to describe the crowd in Matthew 27:18. The crowd demanded Pilate release the “notorious prisoner called Barabbas” (Mt 27:16) instead of the lamb of God, Jesus the Christ.

Envy. Scripture says that Pilate “knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him [Christ] up” (Mt 27:18). Envy.

Envy is defined as “from Old French envie “envy, jealousy, rivalry” (10c.), from Latin invidia “envy, jealousy” (source also of Spanish envidia, Portuguese inveja), from invidus “envious, having hatred or ill-will,” from invidere “to envy, hate,” earlier “look at (with malice), cast an evil eye upon.”

That reveals so much about why God inspired Matthew to use that word (envy) to describe the madness of the crowds at Jesus’ betrayal, doesn’t it? The crowd was so envious of Jesus’ holy life, so envious of Jesus’ honor, so envious of Jesus’ integrity, so envious of Jesus’ selfless service, that they demaned the “notorious prisoner called Barabbas” (Mt 27:16) be freed in order that Jesus might be crucified. Just let that sink in. What does that reveal about the hostile human heart when it comes to the holiness of God?

The great theologian John Gill wrote about this episode this way: “He [Christ] stood before the governor to receive the sentence of condemnation on himself so that, sin being condemned in his flesh, the whole righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in them.” That’s precise and accurate. The innocent Christ was condemned so that we guilty that repent and believe upon Him are freed.

In other words, this is the heart of vicarious, substitutionary atonement. In our place, Christ stood. He bore the wrath so that we sinners might be forgiven and declared righteous. And His atonement covered heinous sins like envy.

If you have seen what envy does to a person, a military unit, a corporation, a business organization, a church, a team, etc. it is horrible. It poisons. If elicits wiles and schemes that sabotage godly influence. It’s termed a deadly sin for a reason. That’s what it is.

Encouragement: I have been privileged to work for, with, and alongside some truly wonderful men. The best ones raised everyone (or nearly everyone) with whom they served. How? It was not by envy, I assure you. It was by investing in the team, by living the call, not just talking the call. Envy has no place in the life of Christian ministry. God gave gifts to men in order that we might serve others rather than serve self.