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Morning and Evening

January 20, Morning

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Abel was a keeper of sheep." — Genesis 4:2 · KJV

As a shepherd, Abel consecrated his work to the glory of God, offered a sacrifice of blood on his altar, and the Lord had respect to Abel and his offering. This early type of our Lord is remarkably clear. Like the first streak of light that tinges the east at sunrise, it does not reveal everything, but it plainly announces that the sun is coming. As we watch Abel — a shepherd and yet a priest — offering a sacrifice of sweet smell to God, we discern our Lord, who brings before His Father a sacrifice to which Yahweh always has respect. Abel was hated by his brother, hated without a cause; and so was the Savior, for the natural man hated the accepted man in whom the Spirit of grace was found, and did not rest until his blood was shed. Abel fell and sprinkled his altar and sacrifice with his own blood, and in this he sets forth the Lord Jesus, slain by the enmity of man while serving as a priest before the Lord. "The good Shepherd layeth down His life for the sheep." Let us weep over Him as we see Him slain by the hatred of mankind, staining the horns of His altar with His own blood. Abel's blood speaks: "The Lord said unto Cain, The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground." The blood of Jesus has a mighty voice, and the meaning of its prevailing cry is not vengeance but mercy. It is precious beyond all price to stand at the altar of our good Shepherd, to see Him bleeding there as the slaughtered priest, and then to hear His blood speaking peace — peace to our conscience, peace between those once divided, peace between man and his offended Maker, peace down all the ages of eternity for blood-washed men. Abel is the first shepherd in order of time, but our hearts will forever place Jesus first in order of excellence. You great Keeper of the sheep, we the people of Your pasture bless You with our whole hearts as we see You slain for us.