The Voice of the Martyr
Today’s Verse:
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: ~Genesis 4:4
A martyr is someone who dies for what he believes in. He is willing to suffer pain and punishment instead of renouncing what he believes and holds dear. Abel is the first martyr in Scripture. He is someone who gave his life for what he held dear. The amazing thing is that his death came at the hands of his own brother. Abel’s life and death are a powerful lesson for us about living for Jesus.
We see Abel the sinner.
“And she again bare his brother Abel.” And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. Abel was born to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve committed sin and brought its curse upon future generations of men. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). Abel was born a sinner with the sentence of condemnation upon him
We see Abel and his sacrifice.
“And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.” Abel was taught by his parents that a sacrifice would have to be made for his sins. It was forthright. His sacrifice was of the firstlings of the flock and the fat thereof. It was fitting. He is said to have made a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. It was in faith. His had faith that his sacrifice would atone for his sins and satisfy God’s righteous requirements. It was favorable. The Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering. Abel obtained salvation from his sins through the sacrificial shedding of blood of an innocent victim.
We see Abel who was slain.
“And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.” Cain became the first murderer. He rejected giving a blood sacrifice for his sin, and instead tried to justify himself through an offering from the fruit of the ground. Abel would not change his sacrifice. Abel took a stand against religion and good works. It is sad that his own brother rejected the blood sprinkled way and turned against Abel. Abel decided for God. He died as the first martyr of the faith.
We see Abel and his statement.
“And by it he being dead yet speaketh.” His life still speaks on from the grave. He gave his life for that which endures. His witness for the Lord goes on even though he is dead. How will your life continue to witness for the Lord after you leave this life? On the tombstone of Dr. Curtis Hutson is the Romans Road plan of salvation. He wanted to be sure that anyone who passed his grave would have the opportunity to read how to be saved. “He being dead yet speaketh.” Whenever I do the memorial service of a Christian, I give the gospel and an invitation to be saved. “He being dead yet speaketh.”
The voice of the martyr testifies that it is not in vain to live for Jesus and witness for Him. Stephen died a martyr, but because of his death the gospel branched out and resulted in many being saved. Live your life so that even when you are gone, your witness will continue to touch people.
Have a faithful God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Leviticus 1-4