Already Blessed - Jealousy

It was Christmastime.

Every year we would get together with my mom’s side of the family and exchange gifts.

It was wonderful and we always had a great time.

But…

One year my cousin got a gift that I really wanted.

I can still remember how the jealousy burned in my heart.

I was angry because he had gotten this gift and not me!

I can remember how I felt so clearly.

However, to this day, I cannot remember what the gift was.

Isn’t that funny?

I remember the feeling of jealousy, but I don’t even remember what I was jealous about.

Jealousy is a seemingly innocent emotion that can lead us to dangerous places.

Let me say that again.

Jealousy is a seemingly innocent emotion that can lead us to dangerous places.

The Gospels of Matthew and Mark both record for us the power jealousy has.

During Jesus’ trial we have this being recorded about Pilate.

Mark 15:10 NKJV

10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

Another word for envy is jealousy.

Jesus. Our Savior. Our Redeemer. The Sovereign God of the universe, was delivered to the cross because of jealousy.

Do we still think its not that big of a deal?

Paul and Barnabas had a similar experience in Antioch.

Acts 13:45 NKJV

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.

Satan used the Jealousy of the religious leaders to take Jesus to the Cross.

He used that same tactic in an attempt to silence Paul and Barnabas.

Jealousy is not a little thing.

Therefore, we must put jealousy to death in our lives by focusing on the blessings we have.

Ephesians 1:3 tells us that God the Father has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.

As we rest in the blessings we have, jealousy will disappear.

May you and I both rest in the blessings of Jesus today.