Sparrows and hairs!
Scripture reading for January 14: Matthew 10
“”And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him Who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father Who is in heaven, but anyone who denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father Who is in heaven.”” Matthew 10:28-33
There are things in life that we think are unimportant and would be a waste of God’s time and attention. Jesus brought up two of these in this discussion about what is really of value. Jesus warned His disciples not to fear those who could kill them physically but had no power over their eternal souls. He brought their attention to the common sparrow of His time. This was one of the cheaper meats on the market of Jesus’ day. Two sparrows were sold for a ‘penny,’ a very small price. Yet Jesus said that His Father would notice each fallen sparrow! Personally, Jesus pointed to the hairs on our head being numbered by our Father in heaven! Jesus’ point was that we are of greater worth than sparrows or hairs!
Jesus was encouraging His disciples to stand up and testify about Him before men. Their call was to testify to the lost world of His amazing love for mankind and His personal knowledge of each person’s life and destiny. As they obeyed their calling to affirm Jesus before men, Jesus, in turn, would also affirm them before the Father in heaven. This is not righteousness by works, however. It is by faith in Jesus that we live and our testimony of Him flows by love through relationship.
Do you struggle to give public testimony of your relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you fear what others might think of you and less about what God might think about you living in fear? What do you think Jesus will say about you before the Father? Take time to talk to Jesus about your concerns.
Prayer: Thank You for Your amazing care for creation revealed in the sparrows and hairs of our head. Forgive me for shrinking back in fear before those who might not receive testimony of Your love for them in Jesus. Fill me with such love and power by Your Spirit that I testify before all men. Amen.
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