Love Does Not Envy
Dwight L. Moody told the fable of an eagle who was envious of another larger eagle who could fly much higher than he could. He determined the only way he could be better than this eagle was to have him killed. The eagle went to a bow hunter and showed him the grand prize he could have if he shot down the eagle flying so high. The hunter agreed but needed a feather for his arrow. The eagle obliged, giving him one of his feathers. The hunter shot an arrow that sailed high and straight but fell short since the eagle was so high. The eagle again gave him a feather to give it another try. Again, he failed. This scenario continued until the eagle had no more feathers to provide, and now he couldn’t fly. When the hunter saw the dilemma, he saw his prize and turned and shot the eagle sitting beside him. The moral of the story is that the person most destroyed by envy is yourself.
Jesus never exhibited a moment of this destructive jealousy. When Satan tried to tempt Him with the power and position of kings, He rejected it (Luke 4:5-8). When the mob called for a guilty murderer to be set free in His place, He accepted it (Matthew 27:15-23). Jesus endured every insult and betrayal with unimaginable grace, desiring the salvation and greatest good for the people He came to save.
It is, of course, unreasonable that our perfect Lord could ever suffer envy. Jesus was lacking in nothing. He had perfect security in His relationship and unity with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus had single-minded obedience to the will of God the Father, His purpose defined and set before Him. He did not look to the right or to the left to compare His lot to another, He knew why He was on the earth, and that was to bring glory to God.
But what about Exodus 34:14? “You shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” God has jealousy for us, but never of us. This jealousy God has is for His own people, He wants our hearts to be seeking after Him, not led astray by idols that bring destruction and steal our affections. The intention is completely different. In 1 Corinthians 13, the envy described is a desire to tear someone down in order to take what they have. In contrast, the Lord’s jealousy for us aims to tear down our idols so that He can have our hearts fully.
To be free from envy is to be wholly committed to Christ. When our eyes are fixed on Him, they aren't comparing our lot with another. “I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13). God gives us everything we need, and when we are content in Him alone, secure in His love and grace, we have no cause for bitter envy.
Jesus never exhibited a moment of this destructive jealousy. When Satan tried to tempt Him with the power and position of kings, He rejected it (Luke 4:5-8). When the mob called for a guilty murderer to be set free in His place, He accepted it (Matthew 27:15-23). Jesus endured every insult and betrayal with unimaginable grace, desiring the salvation and greatest good for the people He came to save.
It is, of course, unreasonable that our perfect Lord could ever suffer envy. Jesus was lacking in nothing. He had perfect security in His relationship and unity with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus had single-minded obedience to the will of God the Father, His purpose defined and set before Him. He did not look to the right or to the left to compare His lot to another, He knew why He was on the earth, and that was to bring glory to God.
But what about Exodus 34:14? “You shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” God has jealousy for us, but never of us. This jealousy God has is for His own people, He wants our hearts to be seeking after Him, not led astray by idols that bring destruction and steal our affections. The intention is completely different. In 1 Corinthians 13, the envy described is a desire to tear someone down in order to take what they have. In contrast, the Lord’s jealousy for us aims to tear down our idols so that He can have our hearts fully.
To be free from envy is to be wholly committed to Christ. When our eyes are fixed on Him, they aren't comparing our lot with another. “I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13). God gives us everything we need, and when we are content in Him alone, secure in His love and grace, we have no cause for bitter envy.
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