Day 4 - 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 2026

Day 4: A Better Word

…to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:24)

In Genesis chapter four we find the story of Cain and Abel. The story goes that both of them were sacrificing to God, Cain some of his leftover vegetables and Abel the firstborn lamb of his flock. God proceeds to accept Abel’s sacrifice and rejects Cain’s. 

Hebrews 11:4 tells us why God accepted Abel’s sacrifice. It says that, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” He gave his first and best, not knowing if he would ever see another lamb come from the mother sheep, and this showed his faith. He believed that God would take care of his needs and acted accordingly! Oh that we would have faith like Abel! To put our trust in Jesus and to trust him to be everything we need!

Hebrews gives us a beautiful contrast between Abel’s sacrifice and Jesus’ sacrifice. We could look at Hebrews and say that Jesus is the better lamb. He is the better sacrifice. Abel’s lamb and the sacrificial system that was in place in temple worship in the time of Jesus is lesser than the new covenant that Jesus brings. And that is true of course! He is the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. But what the author of Hebrews is speaking about in chapter twelve has a deeper meaning. 

The author describes Jesus as “mediator of the new covenant.” He also references that Jesus' blood speaks better things than Abel’s blood. What is a mediator? And what is it that Abel’s blood is speaking?

In the simplest terms a mediator is someone who goes between two parties and negotiates a deal for one or the other or both parties. As for what Abel’s blood is speaking, if you continue the story in Genesis we find out that Cain murders Abel. And when God speaks to Cain, in Genesis 4:10, he references Abel’s blood. He says, “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.” So what was Abel’s blood saying? And what is Jesus’ blood speaking that is so much better?

Because Abel had been murdered, his blood was crying out to God for justice! This is the cry of all of creation. The injustice that is in the world through abuse, greed, lust, hatred, racism, jealousy, and violence, it all cries out for justice. Sin deserves punishment! We deserve to be punished for our sinfulness. We have transgressed and just like the blood of Abel, the injustice, pain and suffering that we have caused calls out for justice.

But thank God for Jesus! His blood does not call for justice. His death on the cross has paid the penalty for our sin and justice has been fulfilled. Rather than justice, his blood calls out for mercy! When Christ entered with His own blood into God’s holy presence he mediated once and for all on our behalf. “Justice has been served. Have mercy on them for my sake! I have paid the price for their sin.” This is why the author says that his blood speaks a better word than that of Abel. A word of mercy, not justice. A word of forgiveness, not vengeance. A word of grace, not of guilt. 

I often hear the voice of the evil one speaking shame and guilt over my life. The accuser, the devil, brings all of my brokenness, mistakes and stupidity to the forefront of my mind. He speaks words of condemnation over my life. It is easy to feel discouraged and ashamed when this happens. But what helps me to overcome this is the voice of Jesus that speaks a “better word” over my life. FORGIVEN, son, child of God, beloved, made righteous, saint, highly favored, chosen, sanctified, set apart… the list goes on. 

Today, as you seek God and listen for his voice, remember that God’s word is a better word. Acknowledge your sin, your brokenness, your mistakes. Own all of that and then let God change the narrative of your life. 

Thank you God for Jesus' blood. Thank you for mercy and grace. Thank you for your perfect plan of redemption. Thank you for the better word that you have spoken over my life. Speak to me today through your Word and through your Spirit. Amen!