Is life worth living? (Genesis 4:1-8)

Is life worth living? More and more people are saying, “No,” especially young people. Depression, despair, and even suicide rates are soaring, especially among young people and middle-aged men

Many of us feel down and out like this from time to time. Why is that and what can we do about it? Where do we find life in a life-sucking, life-draining, life-killing world?

Genesis 4:1-8 helps us to understand the problem and points us also towards the life-giving solution.

GOD GIVES LIFE

“Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” (1).

• The Lord gave Cain (1)
• The Lord gave Abel (2)

Despite God saying that the penalty for sin would be death, he did not execute the entire penalty immediately. He continued to give life.

We deserve death, but God gifts life.

What do we do with this gift of life? We take it without thanks and even take it from others.

WE TAKE LIFE

There are two ways life is taken in this passage.

• A God-appointed sacrifice (3-5): God appointed animal sacrifices to be offered in place of sinners when they sinned. Life is taken from animals to secure life for sinners.
• A God-defying murder (5-8): Although Abel complied with God’s order, Cain thought he knew better. He offered some fruit and veg instead. When his paltry offering was rejected, he took it out on his brother Abel and killed him. This was the first murder.

Some see their need for a sacrifice, some want to make others a sacrifice. 

Is there any way to get life back?

JESUS GIVES LIFE

Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11)

• Jesus gave his life: This too was a God-defying murder.
• Jesus offers us life: This too was a God-appointed sacrifice.

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 

Jesus came to die a dreadful death, that we might come to abundant life.

Live life through Jesus's death. Now that's a life worth living.

This episode of Living the Bible lines up with Expedition 2: Day 6 in  Exploring the Bible Together: A 52 Week Family Worship Plan and Exploring the Bible: A Bible Reading Plan for Kids. You can catch up with previous episodes of the Living the Bible podcast here or subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and Google Podcast.