Abel was a shepherd who sanctified his work to the glory of God. He brought a blood sacrifice to his altar, and the Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering. This first picture of our Lord shines exceedingly clear and distinct. Like the first streak of light that tinges the eastern sky at sunrise, it doesn't reveal everything, but it clearly manifests the great fact—the sun is coming!

Look at Abel—a shepherd and yet a priest, offering a sacrifice of sweet savor to God. Can't you see our Lord Jesus there? He brings before his Father a sacrifice to which Jehovah will always, always have respect.

But Abel was hated by his brother—hated without cause! And wasn't it the same with our Savior? The natural and carnal man hated the accepted man in whom the Spirit of grace was found. He could not rest until blood was shed. Abel fell, and sprinkled his altar and sacrifice with his own blood. And there we see the Lord Jesus, slain by the enmity of man while he served as priest before the Lord. "The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

Come, let us weep as we see him slain by the hatred of mankind, staining the horns of his altar with his own blood.

But Abel's blood speaks! God said to Cain, "The voice of your brother's blood cries unto me from the ground." And the blood of Jesus? Oh, it has a mighty tongue! But listen—its prevailing cry is not for vengeance but for mercy!

How precious beyond all preciousness to stand at the altar of our Good Shepherd! To see him bleeding there as the slaughtered priest, and then to hear his blood speaking peace to all his flock. Peace in our conscience! Peace between Jew and Gentile! Peace between man and his offended Maker! Peace rolling down through all the ages of eternity for blood-washed men!

Yes, Abel was the first shepherd in order of time. But our hearts will always place Jesus first in order of excellence. Great Keeper of the sheep! We, the people of your pasture, bless you with our whole hearts when we see you slain for us.