We look this morning at speaking blood. In Genesis we find the account of Cain and Abel. The first and second men born on earth. We look this morning at the most heinous of crimes and that is the shedding of innocent blood. The testimony of Abel has been commemorated for mankind in the Bible ever giving testimony to the murderous and sinful nature of mankind. A testimony to just how cruel humanity can be.
Let us look at Hebrews chapter eleven.
Hebrews 11:[4] By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
We have the testimony of God’s Word that Abel’s blood speaks. Yes indeed it speaks and today we will examine what it says to us this morning.
Look in Hebrews chapter 12 and verse twenty-four.
Hebrews 12:[24] And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Not only does the blood of righteous Abel speak through the history of mankind so does Jesus’ blood speak to us. The one is the anti-thesis of the other. Let us look at the account of the first human murder in the book of Genesis. It is in chapter four.
Genesis 4:[1] And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
[2] And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
[3] And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
[4] And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
[5] But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
[6] And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
[7] If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
[8] And 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 slew him.
The first thing Abel’s blood cries out to us is “MURDER, MURDER!!!” He being innocent of any crime other than doing that which is right, became the first man murdered in history. He became the first martyr having been murdered for his faith.
[9] And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
[10] And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
The second thing Abel’s blood cries out is “REVENGE, REVENGE”. Having been unjustly killed by his brother there is a sense of vengeance which must be satisfied. (Much like the souls under the altar in Revelation 6:9-11)
[11] And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand;
[12] When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
[13] And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
[14] Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
[15] And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
[16] And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
The third thing Abel’s blood cries out is “GUILTY, GUILTY!!”
God affixes punishment on Cain for the murder of his brother and the guilt follows him all of his days.
(This guilt being forwarded to those who sent Jesus to the cross Matthew 23:35)
But Jesus blood speaks of better things! Look at Ephesians chapter 5 verses one and two.
Ephesians 5:[1] Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
[2] And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Where as Abel’s blood speaks of murder. A life unjustly taken Jesus blood speak of a life sacrificed for others. A life willingly given so that others may obtain better things. Jesus laid down His life and shed His blood for us willingly.
Where Abel’s blood speaks of murder Jesus Christ’s blood speaks of sacrifice.
Look in Ephesians chapter one.
Ephesians 1:[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
[4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
[5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
[6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
[7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Where we find that Abel’s blood speaks of revenge Jesus Christ’s blood speaks of forgiveness. It is through the shed blood of Jesus we find forgiveness for our sins.
Look in Romans chapter three.
Romans 3:[22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
[24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
[25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
[26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Where Abel’s blood speaks of guilt we find Jesus Christ’s blood speaks of righteousness. Though we possess no righteousness of our own, through the shed blood of Jesus God gives us His own righteousness where we can find eternal life.
How about you this morning? Can you here the cry of Abel’s blood? Murder, Revenge, Guilt!!!! Or can you here the cry of Jesus blood? Sacrifice, Forgiveness and Righteousness?