I am adopted. I lived my entire life up until college with my biological parents, but I am adopted. It happened when I was thirteen. I know it doesn't make sense but let me explain.
Hebrews 12:24 says:
"to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel."
Now, what does this have to do with my adoption? Let's look deeper at this passage.
The Blood of Abel
In Genesis 4, Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve were offering sacrifices to God. Cain offered "fruits of the soil" and Abel brought "fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock". Now God looked with favor upon Abel's sacrifice and contempt upon Cain's sacrifice. This made Cain just a little upset and he killed his brother Abel. God asks Cain where his brother was (like God didn't know). Cain brushes off the question, and God said to Cain in verse 10 and 11, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse...". This is the word that Abel's blood was speaking. It speaks to the curse of sin that plagues us as humans and it testifies to the need for a way to redemption. Abel' blood speaks of the hopelessness of the human race and its sin. That's where the better word comes in.
A Better Word
The blood that Jesus shed on the cross 2000 years ago is the answer to that cry for redemption from the blood of Abel. It speaks the hope that we need to be free from the chains of sin. It speaks life, forgiveness, grace, mercy, and above all else love! Here are some scriptures that show what the blood of Jesus has really done for our lives.
Hebrews 9:14: "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"
Ephesians 2:13: " But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ."
Hebrews 10:19:"Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus..."
Isaiah 53:5:"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
New Blood, New Law, New Choice
Romans 8:1-2 says:
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
Jesus' blood has the power to overcome the word that the blood of Abel speaks in our lives. Abel's blood speaks the "law of sin and death", which is inherited by us just by being human (thanks Adam and Eve). Yet, in the light of what the blood of Jesus speaks we have the choice to have "no condemnation" and to be "set free from the law of sin and death" if we are "in Christ Jesus". When I was thirteen I made that choice to be in Christ Jesus. I gave my life to be led by the spirit of the living God. Now knowing how the blood of Christ saves us, I still haven't explained how I'm adopted.
Luke, I Am Your Father - God
So yeah it's like when Darth Vader tells Luke that he is his father because he wants him to join the dark side, except God wants us to be a part of his family and minus the part where he cuts off is hand. (Ok, probably not the best analogy but the quote works so cut me some slack)
Romans 8:14-15 says:
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
When you are related to someone you call them your "blood". When we allow God to come into our lives we get a spiritual "blood transfusion" where the word of Abel's blood no longer rules our lives, "making us slaves", but the blood of Jesus (which brings the "spirit you receive") "brought about your adoption to sonship".
Welcome To The Family
It is my hope that this article at least plants a seed of desire for something more than what you might be living right now. I challenge you to look into the possibility of being adopted (explore the Word). And if you decide to be adopted, it is much simpler than our earthly system. Step one: Just accept Jesus as your savior. Step two: Get plugged into a good church that is loving and believes the whole bible, it's how you grow.
