Walking through the days leading up to Easter and reading the scriptures slow, I noticed a verse for the first time. Jesus was before Pilate, the governor, who was giving the people a choice. He had in his power the ability to release one prisoner and a criminal went free that day. However, Pilate knew something I had missed all these years. “For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.” (Matthew 27:18). This was so convicting, for how many times have I been envious of another? And we can read in Mark 7:22 that envy comes out of our heart and is not love. It is a bit tricky because envy can remain hidden, thoughts that cross our mind and go unseen by others. And if we do not confess, tell God the truth, about these thoughts, look how far it can go. With this realization, I was all the more thankful for the cross and my release from the death my sin deserves. I smile as another thought crosses my mind, “therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.” (Luke 7:47). What a gracious Savior!