Christian Living
“Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Thus said Cain when asked by God where his brother Abel was – though he knew full well the exact spot of ground where he had spilled his brother’s blood. He said this resentfully, and when God offered a way for him to be forgiven, he told the Lord He was an unfair God anyway, who gives out punishments heavier than committed sins.
Of course we know the facts now. Jealous over his brother because God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected his, Cain led Abel away from the eyes of their family, and while walking in the field, killed him. If Cain were being tried for the crime, the prosecuting attorney could have argued that his statement and behavior expressed malice aforethought – he did the act with premeditation (his planning the crime evidenced by his luring Abel to a convenient place) and intent to kill (his motive was jealousy). And the prosecution would have won a Guilty sentence for first-degree murder by unanimous vote from a presumably fair jury.
That’s the first murder in history. And what insight Jesus showed when he said that hating our brother is the same as murdering him – it all begins with hate. Never did Cain say his insides churned at the very sight of Abel. His giveaway was a seemingly nonchalant comment in the form of a question that challenged God as to the justice of His question. Cain seemed to have a point, didn’t he? Why would God ask him where his shepherd brother was? They each had their distinct occupations and separate activities. Abel had his own life, was accountable for his own actions, so – Cain must have meant – whatever the heck happened to him, he deserved it, I don’t know (which isn’t true) and I don’t care!
Since Jesus saved us, He has given us the desire to care for others. When God “shed His love on our hearts by the Holy Spirit,” He gave us this sense of responsibility over our neighbors. And neighbors this time encompassed not only our immediate family and friends, but first of all, the members of the household of faith, and all the unsaved people we have contact with. It is an overwhelming responsibility, but only par to the overwhelming power the Holy Spirit endowed us with.
I say this only by faith. I told people close to me that I’m worried about how callous I am becoming: once I turned away from a homeless man lying on the dirty street as I stepped off the bus carrying a bagful of food for one week. Once also, when God asked me how someone was, I caught myself with Cain’s attitude telling God: whatever the heck happened to that person, he or she deserved it, I don’t know and I don’t care!
My brother deserved what’s happening. Job’s wise friends erred in their judgment of his situation. They thought God was punishing him for some unknown sin, but they were wrong. Now, who am I to judge the whys and wherefores of the events that befell my neighbor? Who am I to pound the gavel and declare someone’s guilt or exoneration? I don’t know my brother’s heart, only God does, so I don’t have the right to pass any judgment.
I don’t know. I don’t believe in knowing every little detail of anyone’s life. And I don’t think God would have asked me such a question about someone unless He expected me to know. It’s interest or lack of it that compels us to know our neighbor’s affairs, and without the malicious connotation, I believe that is what God expects of us. He expects us to be interested enough to ask if we can be of help to somebody, to listen to someone’s confession of a weakness or a trial he or she is going through, to be sensitive enough to feel when our encouragement and time is needed, to hear requests and then offer up prayers. Jesus expects us to be informed of that co-worker whose mother is sick, of that waitress we order food from every Sunday , who’s very curious what church we attend, of that “God-fearing” acquaintance who never seemed to have the fullness of the salvation experience he thought he already had.
I don’t care. Apathy. The sin of omission. I am fast discovering that this is one of the areas the Devil has been winning quiet but sure victories over me. I usually feel I’m doing enough: I go to church, I play the keyboards and lead worship, I pray, I witness when I have the chance, I teach New Converts’ Class. Aside from that I have an employment to keep, a tight budget to manage and a crazy night shift schedule to live through. But I look at my overwhelming responsibility to my neighbors and the greatness of the task Jesus left us and I shudder that I seem to be doing very little for the cause. I look inside me and feel the power Jesus’ blood has paid for, and I feel I’m doing very little with what He’s given me. I look at people like my parents who have left all to answer the call of the ministry, who until now haven’t yet realized the fruit of their labors, who are frequently misinterpreted, often hurt, sometimes sick and still poor, but still joyfully worship God, unashamed, before the world. And I realize that I just can’t afford not to care.
Unlike Cain I don’t hate my brother; but sometimes, I hate the responsibility that comes with having brothers. It’s easy to live for oneself, to mind my own business and enjoy my life. It’s easy to feign nonchalance when the real issue is hatred. I now realize, fearfully, that my continued ignorance of the cry of the suffering world around me would someday stain my hands with people’s blood, that someday I might possibly face the Fair Judge’s seat and be sentenced guilty of murder.
I thank God for the Scriptures – once again they spoke God’s message for me today. Unlike Cain I will accept God’s offer of forgiveness. Now I profess my commitment again, take up my cross again, and follow Him again – this time in the more perfect way He is showing me: to do all of these willingly, in the power of His love.
Yes, Jesus, I am my brother’s keeper.
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Wow! What a message! I am ashamed because I have used these very rationalizations myself. I am my brother's keeper. Great article! thanks. beth
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