Day 4 | Overcoming Envy with love

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” 

The sermon concludes by contrasting the cry of Abel's blood with the redeeming power of Christ's blood. While Abel's blood cried out in agony, declaring the destructive reality of sin. Christ's blood speaks of forgiveness, reconciliation, and a new covenant. This powerful image provides us with the ultimate antidote to envy: the sacrificial love of Jesus.

Envy, as we've seen throughout this week, seeks the downfall of others. It rejoices in scandals and failures. But Christ's love seeks to lift others up, even at great personal cost. 

The sermon reminds us that Jesus has no envy towards us. He doesn't hope for our failure or take pleasure in our struggles. Instead, He committed Himself to descend to the furthest depth, to the point of death on a cross, in order to lift us up. This self-giving love is the polar opposite of envy's self-serving nature.

When we truly grasp the extent of Christ's love for us, it transforms how we view and treat others.

As recipients of this incredible love, we're called to extend it to others. Instead of hoping for others' downfall, we can pray for their blessing. Rather than rejoicing in scandals, we can work towards reconciliation. We can celebrate others' successes as demonstrations of God's goodness rather than threats to our own well-being.

Overcoming envy ultimately requires us to fix our eyes on Jesus and the "better word" that His blood speaks. As we internalize His love and sacrifice for us, we become more secure in our identity as God's beloved children. From this place of security, we're freed to love others genuinely and to celebrate God's work in their lives.

Ask yourself 

How has understanding Christ's sacrificial love for me changed my perspective on envy? 

In what practical ways can I demonstrate Christ-like, self-giving love to others today? 

Are there people in my life that I need to stop viewing as rivals and start seeing as recipients of God's love, just like me?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your blood that speaks a better word a word of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Help me to internalize this love so deeply that it crowds out all envy from my heart. Give me the power to love others as You have loved me, celebrating their joys and supporting them in their struggles. May Your love flow through me in every situation I meet today. In Your precious name Amen.