Being Special

So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 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. (Matthew 10:26-31 ESV). Do you realize how special you are? Ignore for a moment any humility you may have in regard to self-promotion. The truth of God is that you are special and highly esteemed. Our reading today makes it very clear just how special we are in God’s eyes.

Jesus says we are “of more value than many sparrows. "Sparrow" is the name given to several different species of birds in the Bible. They ate grain and insects and gathered in noisy flocks. Sparrows would often build their untidy nests in the eaves of houses, but were not driven away when they built their nests in the Temple (cf. Psalm 84:3). These insignificant little birds were such social creatures that a lone sparrow was the symbol of deep loneliness (cf. Psalm 102:7). Yet, in the days of our Lord sparrows were sold for a very low price, two of them for a copper coin. A copper coin, an asarion, was a very small Roman coin, was worth about 1/16 of a silver denarius, and was therefore worth less than a quarter in our currency today. Those who were poor and could not afford to sacrifice a sheep or a goat might bring a sparrow to the Temple as was allowed by Jewish law (cf. Leviticus 14:1-7). Yet they were so insignificant that if you bought four sparrows the seller would throw in one more for free. It was this extra sparrow of which Jesus said, "and not one of them is forgotten before God." His care for His creation is so great that even this extra sparrow is noted and observed by God. The point our Lord was making is this: if God is concerned about the tiny sparrow and notes its fate, how much greater must His concern be for man, who is immeasurably greater in value than the sparrow! There is so much more to be said in the depth of this comparison. In life and death God has made sure provision for our best. Whatever circumstance or challenge you find yourself today, you are very special to God. Just like that special treasure you have, he cares for you in a way that is incomparable and immeasurable. Even when it feels as if you have been forgotten, he has already anticipated and made provision for your future in ways we cannot imagine. Face your challenges knowing you are special!