Saturday, October 25, 2008

East of Eden

From the title you would think this was a blog about the book bu John Steinbeck. Well sorry to disappoint you but its not. The title of the book reminded me another book. Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell, but more specifically something he said in it. He talked about Cain and after Cain killed his brother Abel and where Cain ended up. Genesis 4:16 says "So Cain went out from the Lord's presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden." East of Eden. How many times in my life have I found my self east of Eden. I do not listen to God and so I find my self in a place I do not want to be. I feel cut off from the presence of God. I try and do things on my own, striving in the flesh, failing miserably. Interestingly enough the word "Nod' means wandering. Cain found himself wandering. Separated from the presence of the Lord, but I could imaging constantly trying to find it.
That's where the story ends for Cain. In Nod. Wandering east of Eden. East of where God would rather have him be. Thank God, that's not where it ends for me. Hebrews 12:24 says "But you have come to... Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word, than the blood of Abel" After Cain killed Abel. His blood spoke out to God from the ground. It cried out for justice. Jesus' blood cries out for mercy. Mercy and salvation for those who believe in Him. For those willing to take on the covering of His blood. Mercy is a much better word than Justice. Justice was done. It was taken care of. Jesus took care of it on the cross. He took our punishment. To me that does not seem very just. The perfect Son of God took my sins. That's called Grace. Thank you God for Grace.

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