Better Than Abel's Sacrifice

Hebrews tells us that Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, and he offered it by faith. God declared Abel righteous, and testified to the satisfaction of Abel's offering.

Abel rejected the obvious offering he could have made - the wool that he obtained from the sheep he raised - because God required a blood sacrifice for sin.

Abel offered his lamb by faith, and Abel's faith is the very first example in Hebrews' Faith's Hall of Fame. It was the very first blood offering made by a sinner to God recorded in Scripture.

We don't know how much Abel knew about the meaning of his sacrifice, but it pointed to the perfect Lamb that one day, God would provide for the sins of Abel!

Abel trusted in God's promise of forgiveness, which is why he offered up what God told him to offer.

Abel was persecuted for trusting God's required offering, and rejecting man's. Cain hated Abel because he obeyed God and God accepted Abel's sacrifice, but not his. Out of envy, Cain murdered his brother Abel.

This sets the pattern for how God's people are treated when we trust only upon His approved sacrifice for sin. The false religionists are enraged that we won't follow their false teachings, but trust only in God and His promises, and so we are persecuted.

Paul describes the Judaizers persecuting true Gospel believers in Galatians, and the Roman Catholic system persecuted Believers for trusting in Christ's sacrifice alone, and rejecting good works and church rituals that cannot save.

One day, a joyful Abel came to know how his offering by faith was fulfilled in Christ's sacrifice at Calvary. Christ's offering is better than Abels, for it cleanses from all sin!