20th Sunday after Pentecost - Video and Sermon Text
Pentecost 20
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Luke 18:9-17
O Lord, Your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.
The narrative of Cain and Abel begins a series of Biblical stories in Genesis that includes tensions between brothers. We call to mind the tensions and outright animosity between Ishmael and Isaac; Esau and Jacob; and Jacob’s elder sons verses their younger brother Joseph. Brothers and their issues continue beyond Genesis with Moses and Aaron, Eliab and David, Absalom and Solomon. And, let us not forget Jesus’ parable of the two sons, one of whom is identified as the Prodigal son.
What is unique about Cain and Abel is that this is a story of firsts. Cain is the first child born of a woman. His parents were not born, but created: Adam from the dust of the earth and Eve from the rib of Adam. Cain and Abel are the first relationship outside of the controlled environment of the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve raise their sons without any youth formation themselves to draw upon. They have no memories of Mom saying this, Dad and Grandpa said and did that. We are given no insight to how Cain and Abel were raised but it would be far different from us. Their parents had no experiences to draw upon for the myriad ways in which parents shape their children. They did not yet even have Bible stories to draw upon as illustrations except for two. When the LORD says don’t eat the fruit of a particular tree, just please do not eat of that tree! Never trust a talking serpent.
Cain and Abel are a singular example of a life without all the moral and religious guidance that we benefit from. There is not even an example of how not to be. As Adam and Eve told the boys how they came to be outside the garden, did they have a vocabulary for what was really at the heart of their disobedience? Could they say, we were proud. We wanted to be like God. We thought we could be like God and know good and evil.
Regardless of their circumstances, Cain and Abel are a first example of enmity between siblings. When God issued his judgment upon the serpent, Eve, and Adam after their sin was brought to light, he did not speak of enmity of brothers. Unfortunately, the jealousy, the wounded pride, and the subsequent rage that Cain felt toward his brother is a further manifestation of sinful pride. It is more of the same that Eve and Adam manifested in their disobedience.
What made Cain’s sacrifice unacceptable? Did he not offer enough? Was it, perhaps, not the best that Cain could offer to God? Maybe it was leftovers or damaged in some way? Was the sacrifice made out of a sense of duty rather than gratitude for the provisions that the Lord so richly provides? As the Bible continues along, we learn that the heart’s intent does matter to God when sacrifices are made. He is not fooled by appearances. He sees right through us.
God clearly knew the answers before he asked Cain those questions. He saw the shrug of his shoulders and the avoidance of answering a direct question with a direct answer. More importantly, he saw sinful pride driving Cain. Cain’s pride is wounded by God’s rejection. If his pride had been less, surely, he would have entered into a moment of introspection and wondered what he did wrong. It would have been even better if he had said to the Lord, “How have I offended Thee, my dear Lord, that you reject my offering to Thee?”
Instead, his pride leads him away from honesty and into furious jealousy of his brother because the Lord accepted Abel’s sacrifice. Pride leads us to think we are better than others. Even better than our very own brother.
While God meted out his punishment upon Cain, he also had mercy upon him. Cain is allowed to live. God protected him from violent retribution and justice.
Pride and God’s generous mercy tie together Cain and the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The Pharisee suffers from the same kind of pride that Cain had. The Pharisee is blind to his own sins while announcing to God how righteous he is. The Pharisee actually thinks that his own efforts of righteousness adequately satisfy the demands of the law and please God. The Pharisee is unaware that by speaking contemptuously of the tax collector, he fails to live by the second great commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The Pharisee is blind in his self-satisfaction.
Jesus announces the mercy of God unto the tax collector. This man has his pride in check. He knows that he is a sinner. He is poor in spirit. He mourns his sinfulness. He hungers and thirsts for God’s righteousness. He can only beg for God’s mercy. Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Jesus dies on the cross for our pride. His blood is shed so that the repentant can have his righteousness conferred upon them. Jesus declares that the repentant tax collector receives the forgiveness of his sins. He is justified because he calls upon God for mercy. He does not assume God’s mercy or kindness or generosity. He does not assume his own superiority over anyone else. He does not presume God’s favor. In humility he prays honestly, with faith that God hears his prayers, he confesses his sinfulness, asking for God’s mercy knowing full well that he deserves nothing but God’s wrath.
Jesus says that the repentant tax collector is justified. God lifts up his heart.
Pride in all of its manifestations is an ongoing problem for us. We receive God’s Word of judgment upon us through Cain’s actions and through Jesus’ parable. As we receive his judgment, we turn to the Lord God for mercy. In faith, we approach Jesus and the promises of His cross. Jesus is the author of our salvation. We pray that he forgives us and lifts us up. He promises us that he does. You are forgiven.
The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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