Right after visiting with our four grandchildren, Nancie and I saw the movie “The Judge.”  In it, Hank Palmer, played by Robert Downey, Jr., is a rich Chicago lawyer.  In the middle of a case, he learns that his mother has just died.  He flies home to Indiana to be with his father, whom he detests, as well as with his older brother, Glen.  His father, played by Robert Duvall, is a strict judge in a small town. 

When Hank was young, he was rebellious and got in an accident which ruined his brother’s future career as a major league baseball player.  The father seemed unable to forgive Hank, but when Hank’s young daughter visits, he can see his father’s tenderness.

When the mother’s funeral ends Hank heads back home, but his brother calls and says that their dad has possibly just killed someone in a car accident.  Hank flies back to Indiana and defends his dad.

The dad has to spend some time in prison but is later given a compassionate release because he’s dying of cancer.  At the end, father and son become reconciled.

The judge had raised three sons.  One was like Cain and the other like Abel.  But in the end, a mother’s and daughter’s love helped them all forgive and love.

Sunday, Mother’s Day, I’m preaching on “Don’t Raise Cain, Raise Abel” from Genesis 4:1-15.  We’ll look at “Celebrate Birth,” verses 1-2; “Offer Sacrifices Pleasing to God,” verses 3-5; “See Sin Multiply,” verses 6-12; and “See Grace,” verses 13-15.  No matter how dysfunctional our family is, God’s grace is always there for us.  Let’s let God’s grace work through us to bless our family!  Join us Sunday as we work toward that goal.

Love,

Jim Meek