Have you ever tried to negotiate your punishment? I remember an old story about the King of Prussia going into a prison. One inmate after another came to explain to him that they had been falsely accused. One man sat by himself and said nothing to the King. This intrigued the King so much that he asked the man, “Why are you here?” “I committed the crime,” the prisoner admitted.
Isn’t that refreshing? The only thing we hear louder than “It’s not my fault,” is “It is so unfair that I am being treated this way.” I remember these expressions from elementary school, but I am surprised when I hear adults say them. The current thought seems to be, “Deny my mistakes and blame them on others.” This goes way back.
Cain thought God’s punishment was too great, so he sought a reduced sentence. Being driven from the land, he said he would be hidden from God. This is still the consequence of sin: separation from God. Adam and Eve were forced out of Eden, but they still talked to the Lord. Cain killed his brother and was moved further from the presence of God. He feared someone would kill him as he had killed his brother. Paul later wrote, “The wages of sin is death.” Something dies every time we sin. God’s Son chose to die for all of our sins.
The Lord put a protective mark on Cain to prevent him from being killed. God wants people to live. In this case, God wanted the murderer to live. Had you seen that before? I had not noticed it that way. Cain was driven out. He bore the consequence of his sin. Jesus would pay the eternal price for Cain's sin and ours on the cross.
The King of Prussia turned to the guards and pointed out the one who confessed his guilt. “Release him. Get this man out of here before he corrupts all of these innocent people.” It is counterintuitive, isn’t it? The way to forgiveness is not denying our sin and renegotiating God’s discipline. Admitting our sin sets us free to live a different life. Pray for this in our homes, church, country, and world.
