We are Cain but Jesus is Able
In Luke 11:50 Jesus confirms that Able who was killed by his brother Cain in Genesis 3 was a prophet. But the Bibles doesn't record any prophetic words spoken or written by Able. So his life and death must have been a visual illustration that was the prophecy. Jesus said that the Law and the Prophets testified about him, so Able being a prophet is going to foreshadow Jesus is some way. It gives us a few clues. It tells us that Able was a keeper of sheep (a shepard) and Cain was a worker of the ground. In his ministry Jesus identifies himself as the Good Shepard. If you back up from Cain and Abel to chapter 3, God curses the man saying "... cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life"
So Abel represents Jesus and Cain represents mankind. Able gives an offering of flesh; Jesus offers his own flesh. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Cain offers his cursed work of the ground; We offered God our works which are but filthy rags to Him. Cain became angry and jealous because God approved of Able's offering but not his. In Acts, Peter stands up in front of a crow and says: Acts 2:22-23 ESV
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, [you crucified and killed] by the hands of lawless men." We are Cain but Jesus is Able. We killed Jesus but Jesus saves us.
So Abel represents Jesus and Cain represents mankind. Able gives an offering of flesh; Jesus offers his own flesh. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Cain offers his cursed work of the ground; We offered God our works which are but filthy rags to Him. Cain became angry and jealous because God approved of Able's offering but not his. In Acts, Peter stands up in front of a crow and says: Acts 2:22-23 ESV
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, [you crucified and killed] by the hands of lawless men." We are Cain but Jesus is Able. We killed Jesus but Jesus saves us.