A Little Sin

For he knew it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed Him over.
Mark 15:10 (HCSB)
Well lets set the record straight to begin. There is no such thing as a little sin. Sin is sin! However, there are some things that we think are not as big a deal as others. A little white lie isn't as bad as adultery is it? A little rumor that possibly, maybe could be true isn't like stealing from someone is it? A little envy couldn't be as bad as murder could it? Well yes it is! Those "little" sins just show our heart.
The chief priests and other leaders were obviously envious of Jesus. There envy showed their heart and it was a small step to set up the scene for Jesus' murder on the cross.
Would they have been wrong even if the crowds were not incited to cry crucify? Would they have been in sin if Jesus had not been murdered on the cross? Yes, most certainly. Jesus points out to us in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) that sin is not just what we do but our thoughts, attitudes and what is in our heart.
Beware of the "little" sin like envy.