Offering
“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).
“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain” (Hebrews 11:4).
Abel’s offering was the first recorded sacrifice in Scripture that was acceptable to God. It was accepted because it spoke to God of the Lord Jesus and His death that would take place thousands of years later at Calvary. Blood was shed, and the Bible says “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). So God accepted Abel’s offering. Abel worshipped in a proper way, no doubt having heard of the coats of skin that had been provided for his parents through the death of an innocent victim.
This is a pattern for us to follow. Our worship and praise should center around the Lord Jesus and what He did on the cross. His death and shed blood provides a perfect, full and free salvation — to those who believe in Him. And it thrills the Lord’s heart to see His own gathered around Him on Lord’s Day morning to remember His perfect sacrifice — the sacrifice of Himself.
