We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Titus 3:3-5
Jesus was not afraid to come and live among people who knew how to hate. He was not naïve about the darkness that can move through human relationships. He understood jealousy between friends, rivalry between siblings, the quiet resentment that grows when someone else receives what I wanted for myself. He knew how easily offended love can turn into contempt, and how quickly envy can justify cruelty.
None of this surprised Him. Long before Bethlehem, He had witnessed what sin had done to the human heart. Cain murdered the brother whose offering God received. Noah, after surviving the flood by grace, still carried the Fall within him. David’s desire for Bathsheba grew into adultery, deception, and death. Sin, left unchallenged, always grows new roots.
When Jesus came, He also knew the ancient strategy of the evil one, who first rebelled against God and has spent centuries persuading people to distrust God’s goodness. Satan whispers that what God has given me is not enough. He says, Someone else is loved more than you. They are more favored and more blessed. Beneath all of this is an even deeper accusation against God. God has withheld something from you that you should have had.
If you’re jealous of someone, they probably feel it. Conjuring up a fake warmth that seems genuine is nearly impossible. Your body language says it all. In our flesh, we want more than what we have and if someone else has it, we struggle to love them. No relationship is safe from the reaches of sin.
And this is the world Jesus willingly entered. The dread of what He might suffer didn’t prevent Him from coming to extend kindness instead of condemnation. Titus does not say that our goodness appeared and drew God near. It says that His kindness appeared while we lived in malice and envy.
What You have done for me overwhelms me, Jesus. But what humbles me even more is knowing that Your mercy extends to those I find difficult to love. Let Your kindness reach the jealous, wounded places in me. Amen
