“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31
Worth More (Matthew 10:29-31) – Lovely Birds of Lent Week 5
Sparrows can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They adapt readily to new surroundings, surviving and thriving. There are a variety of kinds of sparrows and they can actually look quite different from one another. Even though they are pretty cute, some people refer to them as rats with wings, because house sparrows are plentiful in cities.
This was also the case in the Roman Era when Jesus was traveling and teaching. In Matthew 10, Jesus is sending his twelve disciples out to preach and proclaim the Kingdom of God. Before He sends them out, He prepares them for what they will experience. He gives them authority to cast out evil spirits and heal diseases. He instructs them to rely on the hospitality of the Jewish people rather than taking provisions. He warns them about the persecutions they will endure.
Do Not Be Afraid
The persecutions sound so scary, but Jesus tells His disciples not to be afraid of the people who oppose them.
“So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:26-28
When we embrace the saving power of Jesus, our eternal salvation is secured. We don’t have to be afraid of people who can kill our physical bodies when we are assured eternity in heaven. Our souls healthily headed to heaven to spend all of time with God should be a primary concern.
Plentiful Sparrows
Then, Jesus goes on to let the disciples know why they have no need to worry.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31
Those pesky little birds that are incredibly plentiful do not escape the notice of their Creator. In the first century, sparrows were so abundant and small that they were sold for food two for a penny or sometimes five for two pennies [Luke 12:6]. They were an affordable kosher food for poor Israelites in Jesus’ time.
Worth More
And yet, these tiny birds that were overlooked and undervalued by everyone were not ignored by the Father in heaven. Jesus tells us this to emphasize how much God values people. He knows how many hairs are on our heads. He is watching over us all the time because we are worth more to Him than many sparrows.
Worth more. Our worth to God is not determined by our intelligence, ability or achievements. Instead, our worth comes entirely from the love God chooses to lavish on us. His love and care for us gifts us with incredible worth. We are worth more because He says so.
Lovely Birds of Lent Week 5 Action Step:
As you are painting your sparrows this week, remind yourself that you don’t have to earn God’s love or worth in His eyes. His love for you imbues you with unspeakable worth. The next time that you are tearing yourself down internally, shut down that inner voice with the truth about how God’s eyes of love look at you. You are worth more than many sparrows.
Come to the Facebook group @DevoInAction (https://www.facebook.com/devoinaction) and share your thoughts about today’s devotional or post a pic of your journaling under Lovely Birds of Lent Week 5 or post on Instagram and tag me @devoinaction!
THEN, comment on someone else’s post to encourage and build them up in the Lord! They are worth more than many sparrows too!
Lovely Birds of Lent Week 5 Prayer:
Dear God, Give us Your perspective on ourselves and others. Help us to see that we don’t have to earn Your love. You give it freely to us. Thank You that You see our worth when we don’t feel worthy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Lovely Birds of Lent Week 5 Video:
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