The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 10, verses 26 through 31.
These are the words of Jesus Christ:
"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. 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."
The scripture I chose for today’s message is one of those well-known passages, often quoted in prayer and reflection, that reminds us of God’s profound care and concern for each of us as His creation. Here, Jesus tells us plainly: Do not be afraid.
This is a message of comfort, a declaration of God’s intimate awareness of our lives, even down to the very number of hairs on our heads. And it’s also an invitation to a life of courage and confidence in His love.
In this world, there’s so much that could cause fear—but we don’t have to be afraid, because we have a God who is not only our Creator but also our Protector and Sustainer. To assure us of His care, Jesus pointed to the sparrows. Back then, sparrows were sold for just a penny, yet not a single one falls to the ground outside of the Father’s knowledge and care. This small creature, seemingly insignificant, still matters to God.
Jesus says, "Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." This powerful message was meant to encourage the disciples. They had been chosen and commissioned to spread the message of God’s kingdom. Jesus had even sent out 70 others to visit villages and share the good news. But this message was radical, new, and challenging for the Jewish community at that time, and it often met with hostility. The disciples faced real threats, knowing that this mission would not be easy. Jesus, understanding their fear, spoke to strengthen them: "Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul."
We, too, often find ourselves afraid—especially when we face uncertainty or when life and death seem close. Jesus’ message reassures us that our worth is so much greater than we can imagine. While the physical body may be vulnerable, our souls are secure in God’s hands.
They may be able to kill the body, but no one can destroy the soul—only the One who created both our souls and our bodies holds that ultimate power. Jesus was encouraging His disciples, preparing them for the persecution they would face as they went out to spread His message.
In this passage, He mentions sparrows: ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?’ But in Luke 12, we read something similar, with a twist: ‘Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?’ I like to imagine that maybe there was a special deal—buy four sparrows, get the fifth free! This detail gives us insight into how sparrows were viewed at that time. Sparrows were cheap, even disposable, so inexpensive that one could be thrown in extra at no cost.
We often don’t place much value on things that go on sale—like when you find cheese at a deep discount, only to realize at home that it’s about to expire! I’ve learned that buying cheese on sale sometimes means it won’t last, and it can be wasteful if you have to throw it out the next day. Discounted items are often things people don’t find significant, things considered disposable or easily replaceable.
Yet, Jesus makes a powerful point with these sparrows: even the things society sees as insignificant are deeply valued by God. He watches over every creature, even the sparrows that might otherwise seem inconsequential. And if God cares so carefully for these small birds, how much more does He care for us? We are of far greater value to Him, and His love and care extend over every aspect of our lives. We don’t need to fear; God’s care is constant, detailed, and personal—even down to knowing the number of hairs on our heads.”
"Why does God value us so deeply? Why does He care so much that He would send His own Son to die for us? Is it because we’re so powerful, wealthy, or wise? No, it’s not because of anything we possess. We’re fragile human beings, vulnerable to this world’s challenges, and even with all our technological advancements, our limitations are clear.
Consider our accomplishments in space technology. We’ve sent humans to the moon and beyond. Yet, even with all this progress, look at the recent situation on the International Space Station, where an astronaut’s health took a critical turn, and scientists struggled to address it from Earth. Even as we send astronauts like Sunita Williams and others to space—a feat that exemplifies humanity’s most advanced knowledge—we encounter situations where our control falters. Sunita Williams, facing health challenges in a remote environment like the International Space Station, underscores how vulnerable we are in the vast unknown, despite all our preparation.
We may possess remarkable abilities to explore and innovate, yet there comes a point where even our best efforts reveal human fragility. This awareness of our limitations should humble us and lead us to acknowledge a higher power on which we must depend. It’s a reminder that, although we achieve great things, we are still small in the grand design. There are places where only God’s guidance and provision can sustain us, and it’s in those moments of limitation that we realize the profound need for faith and trust in Him. Despite all our advances, we remain limited, in need of something greater than ourselves, a higher power to lean on when we reach the end of our abilities.
This is why the value God places on us is so extraordinary. He cares for us even more deeply than we can imagine—even more than we often value ourselves. I remember returning from a funeral once, where I’d spoken about a man’s life. He had been a father, a husband, a grandfather, and his family’s rock. His impact wasn’t measured in titles or money but in the relationships he cultivated and the love he gave.
On my way back, I noticed a small, lifeless bird on the side of the road. That little bird, though insignificant in the eyes of many, had its own value. It likely had a partner waiting in a nest somewhere, young ones depending on it for food, or perhaps a flock missing their friend. Just as that man’s life was precious to his family and friends, that bird was deeply significant to its own little community. And God, in His mercy, sees the value in every one of His creations, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.
Yet Scripture tells us that we are worth even more to God than the sparrows He carefully watches over. To God, each of us is precious beyond measure, significant in ways we might not even recognize. He knows our weaknesses, our limits, our fragile nature—and still, He values us beyond all the world’s estimations. If God cares so deeply for even the smallest bird, how much more does He care for us? We are loved, cherished, and sustained by a merciful Creator who knows and values us more than we might ever comprehend."
Sparrows seem so small, don’t they? Often overlooked and dismissed. Yet, sparrows play a surprisingly important role in the ecosystem. These tiny birds are essential to pollination and seed dispersal, helping trees, flowers, and plants grow and thrive. They also help control pests and insects, and some pest control methods actually rely on birds for natural balance.
So while sparrows may seem insignificant, they’re actually quite vital. The psalmist recognized this truth when he wrote in Psalm 84, “Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord Almighty.” All of creation, from sparrows to the tallest trees, relies on the Creator for sustenance. If God provides for even the smallest creatures, how much more should we, made in His image, trust that He cares for every part of our lives?
In Matthew 10, Jesus makes it clear: “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Think about that! We don’t know the number of hairs on our head, and most of us don’t spend much time thinking about it. Generally, we think about how long or short we want to keep it or how dark we want to dye the hair and such. But God knows each one of us down to every detail, every single hair, and each part of our lives matters deeply to Him.
We were recently talking with our young grandson, and as kids do, he was full of questions. He started explaining to us the wonders of biology—about white blood cells, red blood cells, and the layers of the skin such as epidermis and dermis. He explained how epidermis and dermis, make the outer layer of the body and protect us from germs and diseases. Then we asked about hair, and what function does hair have. He said, “I think God gave it as decoration!” Out of the mouths of children, right? His words reminded me of how God crafted each of us with purpose, down to the smallest detail, and how we often overlook the simple marvels of His creation.
Jesus calls us to understand our worth through God’s eyes. Each of us is unique to Him. We’re not just another face in the crowd; we are individually seen, known, and cherished by our Creator. God cares for the big things and the small. Whether it’s finding a parking spot when time is tight, or praying for major life decisions like buying a home or healing a loved one, all are worthy of His attention.
Sometimes, we need to remember that God values and meets our needs according to His timing and wisdom. What may seem small to us—like a parking spot in an emergency—can become incredibly significant in the moment. And what may seem massive to us, like buying another house when we already have one, may not carry the same weight in God’s view.
When Jesus spoke of sparrows, He was showing us that there is no such thing as “too small” for God. Even the tiniest of needs, or the smallest of creatures, are noticed by Him. And if He notices sparrows, how much more does He notice, value, and provide for us?
This message reminds us of God’s deep, personal care for each of us, using the example of sparrows, those humble, often-overlooked creatures who still reflect the Creator’s love and provision. Like the sparrows, who travel vast distances and find their way back to the same nest, we too are on a journey. Sparrows instinctively know to build or rebuild their homes, finding a place even when the old nest may be gone. We, too, are given the resilience and guidance we need for life’s challenges.
Jesus reminds us that we are worth far more than these sparrows—yet God values even them. When He tells us that every hair on our head is numbered, He speaks of an intimate, attentive love. This is a reminder that God doesn’t only see our big needs or urgent prayers; He is attuned to each small detail of our lives, caring for us as tenderly as He does all of His creation.
Paul speaks of two homes—the temporary one we have here and the eternal home that God has prepared for us in heaven, a home not built with human hands, but by God Himself. Like sparrows who find refuge, we too have an eternal refuge waiting for us. As our bodies age or face illness, we can take comfort that while this earthly home may feel fragile, our eternal home with God is unshakable.
Life can feel risky, filled with unseen perils, like close calls on the road or unexpected health issues. Yet in these moments, God protects and guides us. Just as the construction supervisor spared the tree with the sparrows’ nest until the young birds were ready to fly, God knows the right timing for every change in our lives. He cares for us even when we cannot see what lies ahead, keeping us safe and giving us strength until we’re ready for the next step.
And when life brings us to those final moments, God’s care remains. In the story of the fallen nest, the Bible verse, “He cares for you,” (1Peter 5:7), was left behind as a lasting reminder of God’s faithfulness. When we face the end of our own lives or reach the edge of our strength, let us remember that He is with us. His eye is on the sparrow, and He watches over each of us. As the song beautifully says, “Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? … His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”
Go forward with this assurance: God’s eyes are on you. You are more valuable than many sparrows, and His love surrounds you always. May the grace, love, and fellowship of God go with you now and forever. Amen.
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