Genesis 4:8-10 NKJV
Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. [9] Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" [10] And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground.
Hebrews 12:24 NKJV
to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
Sibling rivalry and spiritual jealousy was the cause of the first recorded murder in the Scriptures.
God had warned Cain about his anger - that "sin" was crouching at his door...waiting to pounce.
Genesis 4:5-7 NKJV
but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. [6] So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? [7] If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."
We read that Abel's spilt blood cried out to the Lord for just punishment. As a result Abel's life was cursed.
All over the world there is much spilled blood crying out - the sound in Heaven must be deafening!
What can quell that accusing sound? - the sound of corporate and individual sin?
There was no answer, only a temporary truce via the shedding of the innocent blood of sacrificial animals as laid out in the Old Testament.
Yet nothing could silence the cries for revenge and punishment that our sins rightly deserve.
Our guilty consciences tell us the truth, we deserve to be punished.
Then came Jesus, whose shed blood speaks louder and longer, the eternally, complete answer calling for forgiveness, mercy and grace.
His Blood has a different language - not one of anger and resentment - but the language of cleansing and healing and at last- peace with God.
The lovely old hymn says it right:
"What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me when again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
O precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus"
Have you let that "precious flow" answer the angry cry in your heart?
Let Jesus' blood speak for you today.
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