In Genesis chapter four, Cain murdered his brother Abel. When God asked him where Abel was, he nonchalantly replied, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” Of course, he lied to God, because he knew what he had done to Abel after the murder.
The last month or so, we have had a rash of murdering where folks knew what was going down and did nothing – also refusing to accept any responsibility as a keeper for a fellow human being.
A Ukrainian woman was stabbed to death on a commuter training Charlotte, NC, while other commuters ignored it. Charlie Kirk’s assassin had a roommate and friend who not only knew his plan but also helped him to commit the crime by serving as decoys so that he could flee the scene. From the first school shooting in Pearl, Mississippi, in 1997 forward, there have been multiple opportunities to be a brother’s keeper.
On the other hand, we have examples of good Samaritans who do give of themselves to help a brother. We saw this 20 years ago as neighbors, both next door and from other states, helped the recovery effort after Hurricane Katrina. Military medals are awarded for soldiers who risk their lives to save a comrade or two in the heat of a battle. We have people like Charlie Kirk who are willing to use their freedom of speech to promote the message of the ultimate brother’s keeper – Jesus.
The failure to help a brother is not going to be resolved by gun laws or by always keeping our heads in our cell phones. The bottom-line resolution is to get Jesus into the hearts of people. Then to live out His messages to love and be kind to each other. Only the love of Jesus will overcome the demonic evil and hatred that has been unleashed in the world at this time.
