I love Jesus and all that He stands for. I love that my life has changed (for the better) simply because one day I choose to follow Him

Don’t get me wrong, my life isn’t perfect, and I still have frustrations, and hopes and dreams, yet to be fulfilled, but with Jesus by my side, I know that whichever way life takes me, Jesus will always remain my anchorage with Hope and purpose

Yet, the most significant life-changing experience – for me – was realising that I am forgiven, because Jesus not only saved me, and gives me eternal life, but it was the revelation that I no longer had to carry the burden of shame from past escapades, but everything that had ever happened to me, or because of me, was forgiven and I felt true freedom for the first time in my life

“But the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!”

Genesis 4:10

The story of Cain and Abel found in Genesis 4 is the tragic reality of our sinful nature. The firstborn human becomes the first murderer of the world, because of the jealousy from his brother’s relationship with God

The fascinating thing for me is the word “blood” found in Genesis 4:10 in the Hebrew language is plural – meaning “bloods”. Scholars believe that this relates to the future generations of Abel’s bloodline that would never get to see the purposes fulfilled, and that is why Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance

So many times, I have wanted vengeance for my past hurts. I have wanted God to make those people who hurt me, pay, and because God is Sovereign, and because He loves me, then I felt that they should feel God’s wrath

Within these times, God was so gracious to me. Listening to my requests, but then lovingly showing me another way, which comes from Hebrews 12:24

“You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.”

Hebrews 12:24

Friends, there are so many hurting people in the world, that the cries God hears every second must be loud, and yet, Jesus is there, on God’s right-hand-side, mediating for us for God to forgive us

That right there changed my life. That at some point we need to realise that this world should no longer be about getting payback, but more when we receive God’s love and learn what Jesus does for us, we start to love the world a little more, and ultimately, love the people in it

Let’s not focus on the blood that seeks vengeance, but the blood that brings forgiveness

Categories: HebrewsTags: bible, blood of Jesus, Cain and Abel, Christianity, church, Faith, Forgiveness, Genesis 4:10, god, Hewbrews, Hope, jesus, Life, Love, scripture, Sin