Angry Eyes

 

You and I must start to realize

Blindness binds us in a false disguise

Can you see me through those angry eyes?

Loggins and Messina

Genesis 4:3-7, 26b

In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 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, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?

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 contrary to you, but you must rule over it."

At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.

This passage was the second in a four part series that looks at some questions God asks, it is a powerful passage, a troubling passage, a convicting passage and a hopeful passage.  The Big Idea for me is that because of our broken natures, because of our love of self, we must be aware that sin is lying in wait like a beast of prey waiting to devour and destroy.  Sin is there waiting for us at the intersection of anger and pride. Yet, because of Jesus we have hope, because of Jesus we can “call upon the name of the LORD.”  And when we feel this self-righteous anger or false pride (blinded by our angry eyes)  coming on, we can turn to Jesus, we can think about how Jesus humbled himself for us when we were (and still are) angry and proud, we can be kind because Jesus is so kind to us and with Jesus in our hearts and by the power of the Holy Spirit we too can share this good news in humble and kind ways. 

 Why has our face fallen? Because we look to ourselves instead of looking to, calling upon, trusting in our kind, loving, merciful, grace-filled God. 

May we all call upon the name of the LORD...

Grace and Peace!