Our Keeper

Where Cain refused to answer to God, Jesus submitted himself for the sake of sinners.

“Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?’” (Genesis 4:9)

Photo by Antonello Falcone - The Wiseman on Unsplash

Cain’s question is infamous. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” It’s a rhetorical shrug, a dismissal of responsibility, a defiant retort to God after killing his brother. Cain’s reply shows a heart not just hardened by guilt, but curved so inward that even his brother’s blood on his hands doesn’t awaken sorrow. It’s here that we witness the sobering truth about our sin— it demands our autonomy: “This is only about me!”

But here is the good news: where Cain resisted accountability, Jesus embraced it. Where Cain refused to answer to God, Jesus submitted himself for the sake of sinners. The Son of God did not respond with sarcasm, but with sacrifice. He didn’t distance himself from us—he drew near to us. From the cross, Jesus answers the question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” He answered with nail-pierced hands and a crown of thorns, and his answer is yes. He is indeed his brother’s keeper!