Ash Wednesday (CL) March 5th

Genesis 4:1-16

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” ² And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. ³ In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, ⁴ and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, ⁵ but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. ⁶ The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? ⁷ If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

⁸ Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. ⁹ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” ¹⁰ And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. ¹¹ And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. ¹² When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” ¹³ Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. ¹⁴ Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” ¹⁵ Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. ¹⁶ Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Now comes the beginning of Lent. The Lenten Season is a season of penitence and repentance. God calls his people to repentance. God is calling us to watch the sin that is lurking on our door step. Cain rises up against his brother and kills him in the field.

It is pretty easy for most of us to understand that murder is wrong. But Cain already has a problem when he is angry. Anger can consume us. Therefore, the Lord comes to Cain and warns him. He warns him before his sorrow and down turned head becomes a problem. But Sin is already there causing trouble.

Therefore, as we go through this season of Lent, let us keep our eyes focused on the cross of Christ. We see the eternal sacrifice for our sins. We look at the suffering and death of Christ. As we stare at his cross and the world around us falls away. The Suffering of Christ over shadows our suffering. But even as we look at our own suffering, it is Christ's suffering that pays for our sins and offers us eternal salvation.

OTA: Ezekial 16:59-63

NT: Philippians 1:1-11

NTA: Hebrews 11:1-6

G: Luke 18:9-17

GA: John 8:39-47

Ps: 71:1-13

Almighty and everlasting God, you despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent.  Create in us new and contrite hearts that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness we may receive from You full pardon and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.