Group of sparrows. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father…So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29, 31).
Why did Jesus choose sparrows for this illustration?
They’re so small and common. (Have you ever felt unimportant and ordinary?)
Sparrows were of such little value in Jesus’ day, they were sold two for a penny. The poor would buy them to eat—a cheap source of protein.
Nobody much cared about sparrows in Bible times; most folks still don’t care today. They’re just drab little birds we see every day—hardly worth our attention.
But the smallest, drabbest sparrow doesn’t slip by God’s attention. Not one can fall to the ground without God knowing. And if he knows and cares about the sparrows, he certainly knows and cares about each of us. Verse thirty-one makes it clear: “You are worth more than many sparrows.”
There’s a modicum of comfort in the knowledge that God sees our situations. To be honest, though, the fact that he just knows isn’t all that helpful.
Better yet is the news that not one sparrow can fall without God’s consent.
Nothing happens to us that hasn’t first received the stamp of approval from God Almighty.
“Wait a minute,” you might say. “If a sparrow falls, he’s likely to die. Not much comfort in that either– knowing that God gave his OK!
Here’s what I want to embrace: we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16b), right? When it’s my turn to fall off the branch, I want to be able to affirm, “Yes, Lord. Whatever you think is best is A-OK with me. I know I can trust you because you love me. And I rejoice in the promise that whatever happens, you will bring good from it.” (Remind me of that truth when I start to wobble, will you?)
But here’s the best news: Notice that Jesus didn’t speak of God as some detached, omnipotent being.
He said, Father.
It is our gracious and kind Heavenly Father who tenderly watches over his little sparrows.
Red Bike (Photo credit: swanksalot)
Think of a loving mother who witnesses her small son falling off his bike. When he gets up with a scraped knee, she won’t just say, “Oh, I saw that happen, Johnny. I’m so sorry you’re hurting.” Small comfort in that.
No, that mother will run to her son, hold him in her arms, talk to him reassuringly, take him to the house, and patch him up. That’s just what a loving parent does.
When trouble comes, our loving Heavenly Father is right there with us, just like that mother.
He holds us. Isaiah wrote, “He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart” (40:11).
He talks reassuringly to us, especially through His Word. With the psalmist, we can pray, “Strengthen me according to your word” (Psalm 119:28b).
God is our refuge and sanctuary; he is our home, our dwelling place. (Psalm 91:1-2).
And God patches us up; he restores our souls (Psalm 23:3). He renews our energy, purpose, and hope.
So, “Don’t be afraid,” he says. “If I take care of the sparrows, I will most certainly take care of you, because you are worth more than many sparrows.”
See? You’re not small, unimportant, and ordinary–not at all!
* * * * * * * * * *
Thank you, Lord, for not playing favorites. What glorious news that each of us is precious to you! Thank you also for being an attentive God who tenderly watches over us. And especially thank you for being an involved God, always acting on our behalf, and always for our good. We are in awe of you, our loving, gracious Heavenly Father!
From the Inside Out 
Wow. This is so good! I have never thought in depth about how significant this verse about sparrows is in the Bible. What a wonderful reminder of our worth in God’s eyes. Thank you for sharing this!
‘So glad you found the post meaningful. Thank you for your kind comments!
I don’t know if I can agree with you on these points. In this way of thinking, God gave His approval for Heidi to have cancer. I don’t believe that God gives us these things. I think they happen because of the laws of nature. However, I DO believe that He is there to love us through the rough times and that we can use the illness to praise His Glory, such as having a chemo that does not cross the placenta so that this new baby ‘sparrow’ is protected.
Happy 43rd Anniversary!!
Let’s see if I can clarify: Indeed, God does not give us trials and tragedies. “Every GOOD and PERFECT gift is from above” (James 1:17). But God does allow some challenges into our lives; He doesn’t intervene in every situation. If He did, we’d have heaven on earth, and the time for that has not come yet. You are so right–His love and strength is what gets us through the rough times. And even illnesses can be for the praise of His glory! Our prayers are definitely with that special little sparrow Heidi carries–and Heidi, too.
Thank you for the anniversary greetings!
Thank you Nancy, It is a comfort to know God is there for us when we fall.
Happy Anniversary!!! God bless you and Steve.
I feel as Grace does. Surely a loving God wouldn’t approve of my constant pain, even after back surgery and getting ready to have my second knee replacement. I know that God comforts and provides. I’m waiting to understand his purpose.
You’re right, Rita. God does not approve of pain. I believe He hurts with us, exemplified by Jesus, when He felt compassion on those who were suffering. That’s why God will eradicate pain once and for all when the New Jerusalem is established (Revelation 21:4). But for reasons often unknown to us, He allows trials sometimes. As Grace mentioned above, even illnesses (or trials such as pain) can be for the praise of His glory. God bless you for affirming his comfort and provision, even as you hurt and wait for understanding!
Nancy, I like the line, “When it’s my turn to fall off the branch….” Oh, thank God He picks us up to fly again!
Amen to that, Jody!
Good reminder, Nancy. Makes me wonder who and what I don’t see. Those invisible to my sin filled eyes and closed heart; those like sparrows, small and common and barely noticed. Too often I have to remind myself when dealing with someone who ‘bugs’ me, that they are also a child of God and God loves them very much. OUCH. ok I will be looking at sparrows this week!
You opened my eyes to another lesson from this scripture: Not only is God’s attention on the sparrows; I need to be attentive also. As one of his ambassadors, I have a responsibility to represent him in loving ways to all. Thank you, Jean, for your insight!
Thank you, Nancy, for that encouraging message. Congratulations and love to you and Steve on your 43rd anniversary. May you have many, many more happy and blessed years together.
Thank you, Ruth, for your affirmation, congratulations, and hopes for us. Many more blessed years sounds good to me!
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This has been a very interesting post. Here is what I’ve gleaned from this: God allows things to happen to us…painful things, both physically and emotionally. We may never know the why while we are on this earth, but someday all will be revealed. The best thing, though, is that nothing happens to us that He is unaware of and hurts along with us. He provides us with His comfort, leads us to the right doctors and clinics and medications, the right people to lift us up in prayer. Who knows how many people are being influenced and turn to Christ themselves by witnessing how we handle our trials. We never know. (Of course, it is easy to wriite these things but often hard, very hard, to endure the trials.)
Also, has it really been 43 years since I had the honor of being one of your bridesmaids? I remember it like it was yesterday. The dotted blue swiss empire waist gowns, the cameos you gave to your attendants (which I still have). May God bless you with many more years together. My love to you and Steve, Cheri
Thank you for your sweet sentiments, Cheri. You make ME smile with your memories. You still have that cameo?! Amazing!!