October 23, 2022 Text: Genesis 4:1-15
Dear Friends in Christ,
“Raising Cain.” Do you know where this statement and its variations come from? Well, you are fortunate to be here this morning, because you are about to get the answer. In the May 2, 1840 edition of the St. Louis Daily Pennant they had this quote, “Why have we every reason to believe that Adam and Eve were both rowdies? Because…they both raised Cain.” In modern day lingo we may say, “He said he would raise Cain if they didn’t give him a refund.”
We still have a saying that ties us to the beginning of the world. “Raising Cain” can be defined as causing trouble or behaving disruptively. Cain does that in our text, doesn’t he? What led to his action? What motivated his behavior?
“WHAT DOES GOD CONSIDER AN ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE?”
Both these sons of Adam and Eve were workers. Cain tended the soil given to Adam and Abel tended their flocks. At the end of the growing season, they were bringing an offering to the Lord. But what makes the difference here and then leads to murder?
Cain’s heart was not right with God. His offering was given without a love for the Lord God. Abel’s heart was right with God. He wanted the Lord to have the firstfruits. What kind of heart is not right with God, making a sacrifice unacceptable? Someone just going through the motions because it is expected. Cain simply brought some of his fruit. The text does not say he brought the best or did it gladly. Abel gave the firstborn of his flock and the fat portions. He gave the Lord his best.
Because of this the Lord “had no regard” for Cain’s offering and Cain became angry and “his face fell.” We could say Cain’s heart wasn’t in it. But then he is not bothered by the fact his sacrifice was unacceptable to God. Rather, Cain was concerned that he was “shown up” by his brother. Cain’s pride took a hit, he hated Abel so much he killed him. It was all about Cain, not about God.
Today we are all about the show. “Don’t show me up.” We can’t have our pride dented. This week in the baseball playoffs a home run was hit, nothing unusual about that. But as the baserunner rounded the bases, he rocked his arms back and forth to tell the pitcher “he was his baby.” The video was everywhere. Do you know what is going to transpire next? This guy is going to get plunked, which means a pitcher on the opposing team is going to hit him with a baseball. In the unwritten rules (does anyone know what that means?) you don’t “show up” another player. Anger ensues. Somebody is going to “raise Cain.”
Do you and I ever “raise Cain” because someone showed us up? I have numerous times playing sports. My anger came out. What about you? Maybe not in sports, but in a sibling rivalry? Maybe a friend did something that you took the wrong way and the “I am going to get them” came out. Do we ever take a joke from a family member the wrong way?
God warned Cain and gave him a chance to repent but it never happened. Even after the murder Cain was only about his own safety. We pray to the Lord to keep us from having such a heart.
So, what kind of heart is right with God, making a sacrifice acceptable? The heart of faith. We are enemies of God who are headed to hell. We are unable to earn salvation. Faith is created and preserved by God, in His grace, mercy, and love. This heart believes in the triune God, and in Jesus Christ as Savior. This heart confesses wrongdoing and receives from Christ forgiveness and everlasting life. The believer is covered with the righteousness Christ acquired for all people by His holy life and His innocent suffering and death. Because of Jesus, the sacrifices of believers are acceptable to God.
Abel had, and we have, this kind of heart. Abel believed the Gospel promise of Genesis 3:15. His parents, Adam and Eve, believed this Gospel, looking forward to the future Savior. Hebrews 11:4 says, “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”
Abel does still speak to us. Our heart of faith leads us to bring our best to the Lord. Everything we have is from His hand, His blessing. We bring our best sacrifices to the Lord willingly, with sincerity, because we love the Lord and because we are grateful for the salvation He freely grants to us.
What are the sacrifices we bring to the Lord today? Our monetary offerings. Our sacrifice of praise. Our lives are given to the Lord as a sacrifice. We dedicate ourselves to God and to serving Him. Empowered by His Word and Sacrament, we live according to His will, doing good, and showing love to others.
“Raising Cain” can lead to unacceptable sacrifice. But the Lord, through Abel, has shown again today what He expects from us. Thank God that because of His saving work in our lives, we offer sacrifices that are acceptable to Him. By His grace and power – let us continue!
Amen.