Cain and Abel
The oldest story of sibling rivalry. The first murder. A study in contrasts between acceptable and
unacceptable worship. And, finally, another
striking glimpse of God’s mercy for the sinner.
The account of Cain and Abel this morning gives us much to consider.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Adam and Eve’s firstborn son, Cain, became a
farmer like his father. Only it soon
becomes clear that Cain also inherits the sin of his father. Here we learn the first lesson from this
passage – that we are sinners. That we, too, inherit sin from our fathers. When Adam fell into sin, all his future
children were also doomed, like Cain, to suffer the same corruption. And how quickly the sin goes from simply
eating a forbidden fruit – to premeditated murder. We often like to think we are better than
previous generations – more enlightened, more civilized, perhaps even with
better morality. But none of that is
really true. We’re cut from the same contaminated
cloth of sin.
And of course their second son, Abel, was a shepherd. But Cain and Abel are different for more than
just their profession. When it comes time
to worship God, another difference becomes clear. God accepts Abel’s sacrifice. God has no regard for Cain’s offering.
At first blush we might not understand why. After all, grain offerings are just as
acceptable throughout the Old Testament as animal sacrifices. Both can be appropriate ways for God’s people
to show him thanks. It’s not that God
preferred them because of what they were.
As if he needed either. As if he
needs anything from us. He of course
doesn’t.
So why was Abel’s offering accepted and Cain’s was not? Here’s a clue in the text. Cain gave some of his harvest. Abel gave the first and the best. Cain gave a portion, but it seems, nothing
special. Abel gave of the fat portions. Abel gave from the firstborn of his
flock. And now it begins to become
clear. The book of Hebrews makes it even
clearer. Abel’s sacrifice proceeded from
his faith, whereas Cain’s did not. Abel
gave from the heart, Cain gave for show.
Abel gave in true thanksgiving, Cain gave for other reasons – whatever they
were. To get something from God? To keep up appearances of piety? So that everyone would think he was good and
faithful like Abel?
God cannot be mocked.
He sees through the outward appearance of religiosity and straight to
the heart. Let Cain stand as a warning
to us all, first of all, not to consider our own works, even our worship as
pleasing to God apart from faith in Christ.
You can see why this Old Testament reading was paired with
this Sunday’s Gospel, too. You have the
comparison of two men who bring and offering, and two men who pray. Cain is like the Pharisee – coming in pride,
trusting his own devices. Making worship
to be seen, and not in genuine faith.
Abel is like the Tax Collector, bringing what pleases God – in Abel’s
case his best and first, and in the Tax Collector’s case, a contrite and broken
heart. This is worship that exhibits
faith and righteousness, not the showboating of the Pharisee or the half-hearted
offering of Cain.
And then, when Cain’s offering was not regarded by God, when
it was not accepted as Abel’s was – however he knew it – Cain became
angry. Angry with God, perhaps. Angry with his brother, for sure. Anger in the heart is a hothouse for breeding
other sins. It often bubbles over into
sharp words, and even violent actions. Jesus
warns us of anger and hatred in our hearts – and shows that words and thoughts
of anger are sinful just as actions of violence and murder.
But Cain’s indignation was misplaced. If he had done well, he’d have no problem. It’s his own fault. He should blame himself. But that’s rarely what prideful sinners
do. Let Cain stand also for us as a
warning against sinful anger. And when
we find our own faces falling let us beware, lest sin come and crouch at our
door.
And so Cain’s problems started long before he talked his
brother into going out into the field. But
it’s still shocking. Here we are in the
second generation from paradise. Not so
long ago everything was very good. The world fresh, new and clean. Death was unheard of. And now.
Death comes through violence at the hands of another – a brother killing
his own brother – premeditated. No
remorse shown. And when questioned, “where’s
your brother?” the murderer arrogantly thinks he can get away with it. But not so fast. Abel may be dead but his very blood cries out
from the ground. Calling for
justice! And God is just… so….
One of our hymns does a nice job of finding the
Christological connection here. “Abel’s
blood for vengeance, pleaded to the skies, but the blood of Jesus for our
pardon cries”. Yes, Jesus is the greater
Abel!
Abel was a shepherd, Jesus the Good Shepherd. Abel offered a sacrifice of a lamb. Jesus is the Lamb of God who is
sacrificed. Abel was killed by his own
brother. Jesus is killed by his own
people. Abel’s blood cried for justice –
but here’s the glorious twist – Jesus’ blood speaks a better word (says
Hebrews). Christ’s blood is poured onto
the earth to save and redeem and pardon the whole world. Jesus cries for our forgiveness, even from
his very cross.
And while Abel stands as the prototype of all the martyrs –
all those whose blood is shed by violent men, yet kept the faith unto the
end. Cain stands as a figure of all
Christians who have blood on our hands and yet find mercy from a the one who by
rights could condemn us.
Cain faces the consequences of his sin – the earth no longer
yields its strength to him (for that’s where his brother’s blood was shed – out
in the field, onto the ground). And Cain,
rather than living off the land shall wander the land in exile. And for Cain it all seems to much – even though
by rights he ought to have been struck dead himself. Even in this punishment, God is showing
mercy.
But in answer to Cain’s pleading, he shows even more. “Whoever finds you will not kill you, Cain,
for I’m putting a mark on your head.”
And who knows what that mark was exactly, but I like to imagine it as a
cross.
God protects Cain from retribution, and threatens to punish
anyone who kills him with vengeance 7 times over! 7 is God’s number. It reminds us of God’s work of creation. This is no small promise God is making to
Cain, a promise Cain in no way deserves.
Dear Christian, you, too, have been marked by God. You too, have a promise of God’s protection. All new-born soldiers of the crucified bear
on their brows the seal of him who died.
At your baptism, you received the sign of the holy cross,
both upon your forehead, and upon your heart, marking you as one redeemed by
Christ the crucified.
You were sealed in those precious waters with the promise of
God’s protection. You are God’s own
child – so gladly say it! Though your
grave stares at you open-eyed, even there you’ll sleep secure. For not even death can conquer those who have
overcome by the blood of Christ! We are
under his protection. No harm will come
to us from sin, death or devil. All our
enemies were Christ’s enemies, and he has defeated them all.
So what is left for us to do but give thanks? What is left for us but to remain faithful,
and to express that faith in worship of God and love for neighbor. Yes, we too give gifts of thanksgiving to
God. And may we render them in faith, like
Abel, always giving of our first and our best.
But when sin crouches at our door, and even if it overcomes us, let us
live as Christians and repent – ever to find that forgiveness and mercy in
Christ. God be merciful to me, a
sinner. And he always will, in Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
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