Abel is the first righteous one, and the first martyr in the row of witnesses of the faith in Hebrews 11: his voice still sounds, though he has died (Hebrews 11:4). His life was brutally taken, and his blood is crying out for revenge (see Genesis 4:10). Jesus’ life was also cruelly taken, but at the same time he gave himself willingly to die for sinners. He was more than a martyr: he was a mediator! This is how he fulfilled God’s will in bringing this sacrifice. I have come to do your will.
Only in this manner has Jesus sanctified us forever. That means, that we are sanctified before God, so that as righteous ones we may reach perfection (Hebrews 10:9–10).
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.