Like Abel’s blood, the blood of Christ cries to God, but it speaks with a better message, duration, number of people, location and power. It will ultimately speak for or against every person on Judgment Day.
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Christ – The One Whose Blood Speaks Better Than Abel’s
Genesis 4:1-15
Genesis 4 contains the account of the first murder in the Bible. Let me tell you the story. Here we are given a glimpse into Adam and Eve’s family life. Of course, now that the parents are fallen and depraved, we shouldn’t be surprised that their children are also. Eve bore a baby boy, and no doubt thought that God’s promise to her was now going to be fulfilled. Eve probably thought, “this must be the One God promised. This must be the seed of the woman who will crush the head of the seed of the serpent.” That’s probably why she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord.” However, she off about 4,000 years. Then, Eve gave birth to a second son whom she named Abel. The two brothers were very different from each other. Cain grew up to be a gardener, and Abel grew up to become a shepherd. No doubt Adam and Eve had taught their sons the necessity of offering to God a blood sacrifice to cover their sin and shame. God had taught this lesson to them when He, Himself, had slain two innocent animals and clothed their nakedness. There came a time when both brothers brought an offering to the Lord. Cain, in his pride and unbelief, brought some of his vegetables to give to God, while Abel brought the first born lambs from his flock. In doing this, Abel was believing and acting on the word of God which he must have received from his parents. Cain was rejecting the word of God.
So, what was the result? God had regard for Abel and his offspring. Most likely, God sent fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice on the altar. However, there was no such display of God’s approval on Cain’s offering – no fire fell. As a result Cain became angry and depressed. Instead of punishing Cain, the Lord drew near and tried to reason with him. He asked him why he was angry and dejected, even telling him that if he would obey His Word and offer a blood sacrifice in faith, that God would accept him too. But if he refused to obey the word of the Lord, he had better watch out, because sin was ready to pounce on him and destroy him. Well, Cain convinced Abel to walk with him in the woods, presumably to have a friendly conversation, but when they were far off by themselves, Cain rose up and killed his brother.
Well, the Lord called to Cain, “where is your brother?” Cain insolently replied, “How should I know. Am I his baby sitter?” But God wasn’t going to let him off the hook that easily. He came back by saying, “What have you done? Your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground!” In other words, “I know where you have been, and what you have done to your brother, and I’m calling you to come clean and confess your sin and cry for mercy upon your guilty soul.” As a result of Cain’s sin, God brings some heavy chastisement upon him. Instead of the earth yielding its strength to Cain, from now on, all you’re going to get is weeds. Since you won’t be able to survive here, you’ll have to wander as a homeless man from place to place. Cain’s heart wasn’t broken over his sin. He was still filled with pride and said, “My punishment is too great to bear! Whoever finds me will kill me.” But God in mercy put a mark on Cain so that everyone knew that if they killed Cain they would pay for it seven times over.”
Abel is a beautiful type of Jesus Christ. Abel is a picture, an illustration of Jesus. Notice these comparisons.
- Abel was a shepherd. Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11,15).
- Abel offered the sacrifice of a lamb. Jesus Christ offered the sacrifice of Himself, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
- Abel’s sacrifice was accepted by God. Likewise, Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself was completely accepted by God, evidenced by the fact that God raised Him from the dead (Rom. 4:25).
- Abel was hated by his brother without a cause. Likewise, Jesus was hated by His brethren, the Jews, without a cause (John 15:25).
- Abel was delivered up because of envy. Likewise Jesus was delivered up because of envy (Mt. 27:18).
- Abel suffered a violent death at the hand of his brother. So too, Jesus Christ suffered a violent death at the hand of His brethren
Although all of that is wonderfully true, the part of the story that I want to focus on this morning, is the part that the writer of Hebrews focuses on in Hebrews 12:24 where he writes, “you have come to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.” Abel’s blood speaks, but Christ’s blood speaks better. This morning we are going to look at 4 ways that Christ’s blood speaks better than Abel’s.
1. Christ’s Blood Speaks A Better Message
The Blood of Abel: When Cain subtly tricked Abel into going out into the field with him, he suddenly turned on him. Perhaps he had a knife he had fashioned for just this purpose. Again and again he struck his brother until Abel’s blood was splattered all over the ground, and his body lay as a bloody corpse. Perhaps Cain tried to bury his brother to hide what he had done, hoping no one would ever find out. However, the blood of Abel cried out from the ground, and God heard that cry in heaven. The angels heard too, and asked, “What is that?” God replied, “It’s the cry of blood. A man has been slain by his brother.” What was Abel’s blood crying? “Vengeance! Justice! Wrath!”
The Blood of Christ: Now, fast forward about 4,000 years to a time where we behold the Son of God nailed to a tree, being murdered by His brethren. He bleeds from his five wounds, and finally dies. All of a sudden a cry is heard in heaven. The angels ask, “What is that?” God replies, “It’s the cry of blood, the blood of My only-begotten and beloved Son!” God looks down and listens as that blood cries out. But instead of crying out, “Vengeance! Justice! Wrath!” this blood has a different cry – “Mercy! Pardon! Acceptance!” This shouldn’t surprise us, because the One who bled and died cried out from the cross, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” We would have thought that Christ’s blood would have demanded vengeance for what His murderers had done to Him. If Abel’s murder was avenged by God, how much more should Christ’s murder be avenged? We would have thought that God would strike the world with fire and brimstone until all men were destroyed from the face of the earth. But there is not one word of vengeance! Instead, the blood cries for God to have mercy on sinners. Isaac Watts wrote in one of his hymns,
“Blood has a voice to pierce the skies, “Revenge!” the blood of Abel cries;
But the dear stream when Christ was slain speaks peace as loud from every vein”
2. Christ’s Blood Speaks For A Better Period of Time
The Blood Of Abel: cried out to heaven until justice prevailed, which didn’t take long. After God’s sword was put in its sheath, the voice was silenced, there being no more reason to cry.
The Blood of Christ: In Hebrews 12:24 it says, “the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.” The author of Hebrews says that Christ’s blood “speaks.” “Speaks” is in the present tense, which indicates that it is a continuing, ongoing reality. It began speaking as soon as it was shed, but it was still speaking when Hebrews was written, and it is still speaking today. It will go on crying out to heaven until the world is no more. Why does Christ’s blood continue to speak? Because we continue to sin. As long as God’s elect continue to sin, Christ’s blood will continue to speak to God. Of course I’m speaking now of Christ’s High Priestly intercession at God’s right hand. And not only that, but Christ’s blood continues to speak to God because there are still more people destined to obtain salvation. Christ’s blood will never stop speaking until all His elect are brought home to God. In fact, Christ’s blood will continue to speak for all eternity. Our eternal security in heaven is based on the fact that Christ’s blood will speak “Peace!” for all eternity.
3. Christ’s Blood Speaks For A Better Number of People
The Blood of Abel: spoke against one person, his brother. Abel’s blood cried for vengeance against 1 person.
The Blood of Christ: Just as Abel’s blood cried for justice for one person, so Christ’s blood cries for mercy for a great multitude which no man could number (Rev. 7:9-10). When the final Judgment is over, and the sheep are separated from the goats and called to inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world, there will be multiplied millions of sinners saved by His one perfect sacrifice. In fact, Christ’s blood is so precious, that it could save every member of the human race if God had decided to do that. Christ’s blood will speak for you, if you will trust in Him today.
4. Christ’s Blood Speaks From A Better Place
The Blood of Abel: Where did Abel’s blood speak from? God said in Genesis 4:10-11, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.” Abel’s blood spoke from the ground.
The Blood of Christ: Whereas Abel’s blood spoke from the ground, Christ’s blood speaks from heaven. What do I mean? Hebrews 9:11-12 says, “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” In this passage we are told that Jesus entered the True Tabernacle – the reality to which the earthly tabernacle could only point. The true tabernacle in heaven is not made with hands, and at is not of this creation. It is the very throne room of God Almighty. And how did He enter? Through His own blood. So, what is the significance of all this? Just this – because Christ has entered the very throne room of God Almighty through His own blood and sat down at the Father’s right hand, He has obtained eternal redemption for all of His people. Jesus is already in heaven in His glorified body. He has entered behind the veil in heaven as our forerunner. His blood has been presented to the Father as that which has secured the redemption of all the elect. That means that if you trust in Him, your redemption is sure, certain, and secure! Because He is there, and because His blood speaks from there, you are sure to go there! If you are in Christ, your salvation is as sure and certain as it can possibly be!
5. Christ’s Blood Speaks With A Better Power
The Blood of Abel: Abel’s blood spoke powerfully – so powerfully that God responded by bringing swift punishment upon Cain, sentencing him to wander about as a homeless vagabond.
The Blood of Christ: However, the blood of Christ speaks much more powerfully. The blood of Christ has more right to demand mercy than the blood of Abel had to demand vengeance. Why is that? Why does Christ’s blood speak with a better power than Abel’s?
It Is The Blood Of God: There was much about Abel that should commend him. He was counted righteous according to Hebrews 11:4. He was innocent of any crime. He was a man of faith who obeyed God. He suffered for righteousness’ sake. However, he was nothing compared to our Lord Jesus Christ! Abel was a child of God, but he was a mere man. Jesus, however, was not just a creature, but the divine Son of God. In fact, Acts 20:28 says, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Whose blood? God’s blood! Christ’s obedience was perfect, and His love was unwavering. He had no original or actual sin. Jesus died for God, in submission to God’s command, to fulfill God’s purpose, to vindicate God’s honor, to bring about God glory. Do you really think God will despise His cries, tears, groans, moans and blood?
The reason the blood of Christ speaks powerfully is that it is the very blood of God. But how does the blood of Christ manifest its power? Abel’s blood brought about punishment, a curse, banishment, and wrath. Christ’s blood removes God’s punishment, curse, banishment, and wrath from us.
It Removes Our Punishment: When Jesus went to the cross, He didn’t ignore the Law or sweep sin under the rug. The cross glorifies God’s justice as much as His grace. In fact, God’s justice is more glorified in Christ’s cross than if all the world were cast into hell. All the lost will be punished in hell for all eternity, meaning there will never be an end to their punishment. However, Christ in six hours, bore all the punishment of all God’s people. Because God’s inflexible justice was satisfied perfectly, Christ’s blood cries effectually! There is no sound in the ears of God almighty which is more powerful and piercing than Christ’s blood crying out for the salvation of all the elect. God heard Abel’s blood cry and punished Cain. Will God hear the blood of Abel, but be deaf to the blood of Jesus Christ? The truth is that the blood of Christ is the only reason we will inherit eternal life instead of eternal punishment.
It Removes The Curse of the Law: Instead of bringing a curse upon Cain, it removes a curse from believers. The whole world is under a curse – the curse of the law. Listen to the words of Paul in Galatians 3:10, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law, to perform them.” Well, folks, how many of you pass that test? Anybody here who has done everything written in the book of the Law, all the time? If not, you’re under a curse. But thank God, that Christ’s blood is powerful to save, because His blood removes the curse of the Law. Just three verses later, Paul writes, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us – for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.’’’ After the final Judgment, God will create a new heaven and a new earth, and when John looks to that glorious day he writes, “and there shall no longer be any curse” (Rev. 22:3).
It Removes Banishment: Abel’s blood brought banishment upon Cain. He was sentenced to wander as a fugitive all over the earth. However, Christ’s blood restores us to God and Paradise. Instead of “Depart from Me, accursed ones” we hear from His lips, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” John said in the last chapter of the book of Revelation, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:14).
It Removes Wrath: Abel’s blood, crying from the ground, ultimately brought fear upon Cain. He was afraid that whoever found him would kill him out of anger for what he had done to his brother (Genesis 4:14). Cain was fearful of retribution for the crime he had committed. However Christ’s blood, removes wrath, not just from man, but from a holy God! “Having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him” (Rom. 5:9). Jesus has, once for all time, absorbed all of God’s wrath against all the sins of God’s people. God has no more wrath for His people. It’s gone! “Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17).
Life Application
On Judgment Day, the blood of Christ will cry out for some people and against other people.
Who Will The Blood Of Christ Speak For? We don’t have to wonder. Our text in Hebrews 12:22-24 tells us very clearly, “But you have come to… the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.” The blood of Christ will only speak Mercy for those who come to it, and are sprinkled by it. You see, it’s not enough for Christ to die. His blood must be sprinkled on you to cover your sins. I can imagine Cain plunging a knife into the heart of Abel, or using a hoe to beat him again, and the blood of Abel sprinkle all over Cain. To Cain, Abel’s blood would be a cause of horror. But for us to have the blood of Christ sprinkled on us is a cause of peace, and joy, and delight. Our sins cannot be put away unless the blood of Christ actually makes contact with our guilty souls. Now, how do we get the blood of Christ sprinkled on our guilty consciences? We sprinkle the shed blood of Christ on our guilty souls through faith. In Exodus 24:3-8, when the people of Israel entered into a covenant with the Lord, Moses read all the words of the Law of God, and then sprinkled the altar with blood, and then sprinkled the people with God. The sprinkling of blood caused God and the children of Israel to be sealed into a covenant. Sprinkling the altar stands for God entering into this covenant. Sprinkling the people stands for the people entering into this covenant. Peter’s readers, according to 1 Peter 1:1-2, are those chosen by God the Father, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ. My question to you is, “have you been sprinkled with the blood of Jesus?” Have you entered into the New Covenant that Jesus died to enact? Have you taken the hyssop, plunged it into the blood, and sprinkled yourself by faith? Of course I’m speaking figuratively, but in a figurative sense, unless the blood has been sprinkled on our souls, we are lost in our sin. Have you come to Christ, and appropriated His atoning death through faith? If not, the blood of Christ will never speak for you!
Another great truth is that if the blood of Christ will speak for you on Judgment Day, it is already speaking for you right now! That is what Christ’s High Priestly intercession is all about. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is at the right hand of God, making intercession for us. Well, what exactly is He doing? He’s pleading the merits of His death to be applied to you. He’s saying, “Father my blood was shed and sprinkled on Brian, so that I would make an end of his sins, and bring him everlasting righteousness.” Isn’t it a wonderful thought that though you and I still sin, the blood of Christ continues to cry to God for mercy! Christ’s blood is so powerful, that it will never continue to speak pardon and mercy until all of God’s elect are brought safely home to heaven.
Having seen who the blood of Christ will speak for on the Day of Judgment, who will the blood of Christ speak against? If you have rejected or neglected Christ and His sacrificial death for sin, His holy blood will cry out against you, just as Abel’s blood cried out against Cain. “How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Heb. 10:29). Here the author is speaking of those who have rejected Christ’s blood. They have trampled it under foot as being common or unclean. Have you rejected Christ? Then know for certain that His blood will cry for your judgment one day! However, it is also true that if you merely neglect Christ and His salvation, His blood will cry against you on Judgment Day. “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Heb. 2:3). You won’t be able to escape, because Christ’s blood will cry against you. What will it say? It will say, “This man heard of My blood which is able to cleanse from all sin. He heard it preached week after week, but never trusted Me to save him.”You don’t have to reject Christ, you can merely do nothing about Christ, and still His blood will testify against you. If you know of Christ’s blood, but have not sprinkled it on your guilty soul through faith, it will one day cry for judgment against you. Where do you stand in relation to the blood of Christ? Either you are trusting in it for the salvation of your soul, or you are spurning it, seeking your salvation in something you can offer to God. Oh, my friend, I beg you, on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to God. God offers you everlasting life, pardon, peace, and acceptance. It is madness to go on in sin, when such blessings are offered to you freely. Come to Christ! Lay hold on Him by faith today! Receive mercy and grace from God Almighty through the cross of the Son of God!
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