July 22, 2013
Pastorgraphs: “The Voice of Abel’s Blood”
I read a
story yesterday that will no doubt make a good murder episode on TV. It is the
story of James Nichols, and his wife, JoAnn (who was a school teacher in
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), who disappeared on Christmas break in 1985. JoAnn,
then 55 years old, supposedly left behind a note suggesting she was despondent
and just wanted to get away.
Twenty-seven
years later, two days after Christmas last year, James died alone, apparently
of natural causes, slumped in his chair. As authorities searched the Nichol’s
home they found a fake interior wall with JoAnn’s remains hidden inside. All
indications are James murdered JoAnn and hid her body for over a quarter
century.
Some might
say James “got away with murder”. But did he really? Maybe in this life; but
what about the much longer life to come? And make no mistake, he had to live
(literally) with his actions every day for the rest of his life.
At the very
beginning of the Bible is the story of Abel, the son of Adam and Eve. He seemed
to be a good and honorable man, bringing a tithe of the best of his flock to
the Lord. His brother, Cain, seemed to be less altruistic, bringing just the
minimum offering. God blessed Abel, but did not show favor for Cain. Cain
became so jealous and angry toward his own brother that one day he killed Abel.
Of course, God knew what had happened. God asked Cain, “What have you done? the
voice of your brother's blood cries unto me from the ground.” (Genesis
4:10). Cain’s famous callous reply was, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”.
Sometimes
it appears people get away with murder. Many question whether the likes of O.J.
Simpson, Casey Anthony, and most recently George Zimmerman “got away with
murder”. I’m glad I am not their judge. Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, “This
is a court of law, young man, not a court of justice.” Even if a murderer can
escape the intricacies of the law, he or she will never escape God’s justice.
The blood of the oppressed will forever cry out from the ground for the justice
God promises to provide.
The full
context of Biblical justice must be framed not in this life only, but against
the scales of eternity. All major religions believe in a final Day of Judgment
when the wrongs of this life will be made right. And, if we will be required on
the Day of Judgment to give an account of “every idle word” (Matthew 12:36), do
you think a murder will go unaccounted?
“Be not
deceived, God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.”
(Galatians 6:7.)
“The Son
of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes
of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of
fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous
will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matthew 13:41.)
“Dear
friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the
Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.”
(Romans 12:19, NLT.)
I watch my
share of murder mysteries on TV. I am astounded how often someone who almost
“got away with it” was convicted because of the most minute evidence left at
the scene, or a bit of information that comes to light years after the cold
case has been dormant for years. When that happens, I am reminded that Abel’s
blood cries out to the Lord for justice. And although we may not see how this
side of heaven, our loving and just God will balance the scales of justice.
Bless you,
all, Bill Jenkins
From the
Quote Garden:
“We don't give our
criminals much punishment,
but we sure give
'em plenty of publicity.”
~ Will Rogers ~
Christ United Methodist Ministry
Center
“Christ
in the Heart of San Diego”
3295
Meade Avenue - San Diego, CA 92116 - (619) 284-9205
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