Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” Gen 4:9 (NKJV)
The first act of violence in the bible has very few details or emotional context. Thanks to ‘Law and Order,’ and other shows, we can easily picture a murder scene in our minds… and this detail is important… Cain didn’t steal a cupcake from the kitchen window, he murdered his little brother. Abel, the boy he grew up with, shared a room with, and ate with…
There was tension between the two brothers over a sacrifice they each brought to God. Without getting into ’sacrifice theology’ (I only have 400 words here…), Cain was offended that his offering wasn’t accepted and Abel’s was. He let comparison and pride ferment in his heart. He was the older brother who was supposed to protect and befriend the younger, but instead he felt upstaged, humiliated, angry, and was unwilling to learn and grow.
Comparison and pride could be two of the driving forces of evil in the world. They divide and separate the closest of friends. An insidious and sneaky force that wraps itself around the heart and plays humans like puppets.
That’s why it’s so important to understand that we are ALL CONNECTED. We all bleed and breathe, hope and dream… We are our brothers and sisters keeper.
I’m not talking on a ‘stalker, interfering level’, but on a “Love your neighbour as yourself” level. As humans, not just Christians, we have a responsibility to love and care for each other. Imagine if instead of anger and resentment, Cain’s heart filled with admiration for his brother when he saw his offering was accepted.
Love brings us closer together, comparison and arrogance divides and incites hate and greed.
Gal 6:1-3 (MSG) says, “Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him… You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law.”
Don’t be like Cain and keep yourself separated from others due to hurt and pride, that only leads to greater harm being done in the world… See everyone through the eyes of brotherhood and sisterhood – present, available, burden bearing, prayerful, peacemaking… kind. Too many lives are impacted and even ended, due to comparison, pride and anger.
We can change people's lives if we choose love and kindness. It would have changed Cain's.