Every generation has silently battled from the time humanity veers off course in the Garden of Eden. Though it’s not always loud, not always obvious, it’s always there—tension between light and darkness, good and evil, life and death. Enmity is the sole word that underlines this historical fight and is sometimes disregarded in Scripture. And yet, as Pierre Vernet investigates in his potent book Enmity: It’s all about Jesus, knowing the relationship between enmity and Jesus may be one of the most direct routes to watch the whole story of redemption unfold.
The Forgotten Word with Eternal Weight
The word “enmity” does not come up regularly in casual speech. Seldom heard in sermons, it is not trendy on social media. But it first shows up in one of the most important chapters in the whole Bible, Genesis 3:15, where God addresses the snake following the fall of man: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Usually referred to as the protoevangelium, this chapter marks the first Gospel announcement. God was already pointing ahead to a Savior even in the middle of human collapse. That Saviour is Jesus. And the “enmity” God instituted was a promise rather than merely punishment.
A Thread Woven Through Scripture
What’s remarkable is how this theme of enmity shows up again and again throughout Scripture. Cain and Abel. Jacob and Esau. David and Saul. Israel and the nations. The presence of enmity is not just interpersonal; it’s deeply spiritual. It’s the evidence of a broken world groaning for restoration.
But in every clash, every battle, every betrayal, God was quietly working toward His ultimate plan—to bring peace not through power, but through the Person of Jesus Christ.
Pierre Vernet’s book carefully traces this thread, showing readers that enmity is not merely a backdrop to the Bible—it’s part of the main story. And that story centers on the one who entered into our conflict to end it once and for all.
Jesus: Not Just a Peacemaker, But the Peace
What makes Jesus so remarkable is not just that He came to resolve human problems, but that He became the answer to them. Ephesians 2:14 says, “For he is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”
Jesus didn’t just preach peace—He embodied it. He took the full weight of humanity’s hostility toward God and God’s just wrath toward sin and bore it on the cross. The enmity that had existed since the fall met its match in the self-giving love of Christ.
This is where Vernet’s writing shines. He doesn’t just tell us that Jesus is the solution—he shows us how. With both theological depth and pastoral warmth, he helps readers see that the cross isn’t just a moment in time; it’s the climax of an ancient story of conflict and rescue.
Why This Matters Today
You might wonder, why should we care about enmity in the modern world? Aren’t we more concerned with politics, economics, social justice, mental health, or technology?
Absolutely—and that’s the point.
Every conflict we face today is, in some way, a ripple of that ancient enmity. Whether it’s division in families, violence in the streets, or even the internal war we fight within our own hearts, all of it points back to the brokenness introduced in Genesis 3.
But the good news is this: Jesus has already stepped into that brokenness. He didn’t avoid it. He conquered it. When we truly grasp this, it changes how we live. We stop seeing people as the enemy. We start seeing sin and injustice as the real enemy. And we realize that our calling is not to win arguments, but to follow the One who already won the war.
A Call to Reflect and Respond
Reading Enmity: It’s all about Jesus is not just an academic exercise—it’s a spiritual invitation. Pierre Vernet challenges us to examine our hearts. Where does enmity still live in us? Are there areas where we’re still resisting the peace Christ offers? Are we harboring bitterness, fear, or pride?
Jesus came to destroy enmity—not just in the world, but in us.
As believers, we’re called to be agents of that same reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18 reminds us that “God…gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” That means living differently. Loving radically. Forgiving freely. And proclaiming boldly that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
Final Thoughts
Many books explain theology. Many unpack biblical stories. But few do what Pierre Vernet does in Enmity: It’s all about Jesus—connect the ancient story of conflict with the modern need for hope, all through the lens of Christ.
If you’ve ever felt caught in the middle of chaos—globally or personally—this book offers clarity. If you’ve ever wondered why the world is the way it is or how Jesus fits into it all, this book provides answers. Not simplistic ones, but deeply biblical ones.
And most importantly, it reminds us that enmity doesn’t get the last word—Jesus does.
