Reformation Genesis 4:1-15 Your Brother’s Blood

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:91-7

Our lesson for today begins with the birth of Cain. Eve had probably given birth to girls, but Cain was most likely the first boy. She joyfully called out, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” Then she bore his brother Abel. Adam and Eve raised their children and taught them to worship God. When they had grown into adulthood, the time came for Cain and Abel to worship God by giving their own offerings to Him.

Cain gave an offering from some of the fruit He had and Abel brought of the firstborn of His flock and of their fat portions.  Many of you have been taught that Cain’s offering was brought from the leftovers while Abel brought forth his best to give to the Lord. While that may be true, the fact is that Cain did not put much thought into His offering while Abel understood what worship is all about. 

Cain’s offering was not a bad sacrifice; it was the wrong sacrifice. Cain’s offering was a thank offering. Abel’s offering pointed to the Messiah, the One who would give His very body and blood for the sins of the whole world. That is what our worship today still consists of. We acknowledge the pain and suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Paul in His letter to the Hebrews reiterates this: “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)

When we worship, we confess our sins and God who is faithful and just forgives our sins for the sake of Jesus Christ. After we have acknowledged Jesus Christ to be our Savior, and have received the forgiveness of our sins, then a thank offering it appropriate. Cain however did not acknowledge his own need for a Savior. And so Abel received more recognition before God.

Again Paul tells us in Hebrews: “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings…And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Cain had made a simple mistake in his worship of the Lord.  And Cain become very angry and jealous of his brother.

Here we see that Cain had no love for his brother. He was jealous of his brother’s success, envious of Abel’s position before God. Cain who was the older was jealous of the younger. People who are confident of their own righteousness trust in themselves and expect to enjoy God’s favor because of what they have done or not done.  Their trust is not in God’s mercy, but in their own moral excellence. To make themselves look good they compare their lives with people who are obviously sinners. They do not give honor to God, and they look down on everybody else.

And when someone comes along who outshines them, they become jealous, hateful and spiteful. God saw this tendency in Cain. Out of love for Cain, God spoke to him; “Why are you angry and your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted?” Here we see God’s mercy.  God was giving Cain another chance to worship Him properly by acknowledging his need for a Savior. “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the doors. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

God was telling Cain to turn to Him in Faith, to repent of his errors and not give in to his sinful thoughts. Or, in the words of Martin Luther: “You cannot stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”

Eve had been talked into her sin by the devil, but Cain will not have even God talk him out of sin. God appeared, reasoned with him, warned against anger, sin, and hatred, but after God was out of sight, Cain misled his brother, and killed him.

Here we see the Evil One at work. Luther said, “We cannot more truly picture the devil than by picturing pure hate and envy.” Satan hates the good gifts of God’s creation like marriage, happiness, laughter and music. Luther sees evil as “a parasite on and perversion of all that is good, wholesome and beautiful.” 

Cain’s anger turned into deadly rage, as he vented his frustrations, unleashed his anger, blamed his misfortunes on Abel and spilled his brother’s blood. Ironically, Cain became the first murderer because He wanted God to love him more than he loved Abel.  But it is not by driving away our brother that we can be alone with God.”

The problem had nothing to do with Abel, even though that is who Cain was blaming. It was Cain’s problem. The easy thing would have been for Cain to change his heart and recognize his need for a Savior. Cain could have asked for forgiveness and brought the best of his crop the next time. But it is always easier to lash out at someone else than to change yourself. So Cain doesn’t change, instead he grows jealous, eventually kills his brother and allows sin to transform him into something wicked.

Saint John tells you, “Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.” (1 John 3:12) But Jesus carries that sentiment even further, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:21)

Jesus is telling us that we are all murderers, we just don’t use our hands or a knife or a gun--we use our tongues. We are jealous of others and put them down.  We hear something salacious about others and so we gossip. We do not put forth the effort to do God’s will and yet we condemn others who do to try and make ourselves look better.

 We get angry at someone and our words slice them up. Each time we send forth words of derision, we are guilty of our brother’s blood.

Saint James say, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” (James 1)

Your religion is worthless because the blood of your brother cries from the ground and reaches the ears of God. In trying to tear down your neighbor in order to make yourself look better you fall under the same curse that Cain is under. But thanks be to God our Father there is still hope for you who have come to worship Him.

Saint Paul tells you and all who worship God properly, “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12)

Christ’s blood does not cry out for revenge. On the contrary, Jesus paid the price for your sins, he suffered the Father’s wrath for your sake.  Christ’s body and blood was given and shed for you so that your sins are now forgiven. The blood of Jesus Christ has made atonement for the sins of Adam, Eve, Cain and all people.  Saint Mark reminds us all, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Cain received a mark from God which protected him from being put to death for his crime. You have received a mark from God which is far better.  As Luther tells you, “It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.”   You were given that mark at your baptism.  It is written upon your heart and upon your forehead.

It marks you as one of God’s protected children and it helps you to face each day with courage and strength that allows you to trust in the promises of God rather than in your own efforts. So we continue to worship as God would have us; Acknowledging the work of Jesus Christ, confessing our sins, receiving His forgiveness through word and Sacraments while giving Him thanks and praise through our offerings all to the glory of God in Jesus’ name now and forever, Amen.