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Lessons From A Sparrow. Matt. 10:29-31. “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father….”. “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered…”. “Therefore do not fear: for you are of more value than many sparrows.”.
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Lessons From A Sparrow Matt. 10:29-31 “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father….”
“Therefore do not fear: for you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matt. 10: 29-31
Why, do you suppose, Jesus chose to use these small creatures to illustrate so many important Biblical truths? Sparrow are some of the most frequently encountered creatures that live in the same places as humans. They are so common, in fact, that we often over look them. Could it be that they depend more readily on the Father’s provision and care than we, His children?
There were many different kinds of sparrows when Jesus spoke to His disciples.
So…Why would anyone buy sparrows? Sparrows were the “poor man’s” food. For pennies the poor man could survive on a meal of these small birds. Why does Luke’s account differ from Matthew’s? Five for 2 ¢ See Luke 12: 6-7
In Luke’s account we discover that they were cheaper when you bought more of them. Interestingly this made the 5th one “free” or without value. Yet, the Father cared just as much for this sparrow as the rest! The differences between Matthew and Luke’s Gospel accounts just increase the truth of the message. So what is the message?
Consider the truths revealed in the previous passages of Scripture: • Like the sparrows that are taken for granted, we would consider the loss of a single strand of hair as insignificant. • Yet, how much time do we spend caring for our hair?: Washing, combing, brushing, applying conditioner, and styling it, without thinking of more important matters? If God is aware of every hair that falls off our heads, do you think He cares about other more important aspects of our life?
What might these more important things be?: • Consider the context of Jesus’ words to His disciples: • Chapter 10 of Matthew records Jesus’ instruction to His disciples just before He sent them out to share the Gospel message with the world. At the end of chapter 9, Jesus’ motivation is seen:
What Is Important to Jesus? • “And Jesus was going about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd….”
What burdened Jesus’ Heart? • “…Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” So, who were/are these workers?
Is this still of importance to Jesus today? • Today, we have the completed work of Christ: His death, burial and resurrection, as proof of His power to free us from our sins and give us real life through God’s gift of His Son to the whole world. • Is the harvest still as great as it was when Jesus was here?Has His mission changed? Are you one of His workers?
Matt. 28:18-20 Consider Jesus’ Command: • “Then Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I Am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
II Peter 3:8-9 • “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the LORD one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day, The LORD is not slow about His promises, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” Share the News!
When I was a kid we used to sing this song in Sunday School. • Said the sparrow to the robin, “Friend, I’d surely like to know, Why these anxious human beings rush about and worry so?,” Said the robin to the sparrow, “Friend, I think that it must be, that they have no Heavenly Father, such as cares for you and me.” No Worries, Man!
The idea for this song came from Matthew 6: 25-26 • “For this reason, I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet, your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”
What concerns you? • Are you worrying about anything? What? • If so….What should you do about it? Philippians 4: 6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayerand supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Another Sparrow Lesson: • Solomon also used the behavior of the sparrow as an opportunity to teach his son wisdom. Consider Prov. 26: 2 “Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not alight.” What was he saying?
“A curse without a cause” • A curse can be many things: A desire for vengeance against another, A complaint (griping about things you cannot change), Swearing an oath in a moment of anger, Using the Lord’s Name in vain, Verbally reviling leadership and authority, Hang it on your beak! You must be kidding, man!
Is your mouth spewing out curses like the flitting of a bird’s wings? A little birdie told me… A “fowl” mouth is unwise! Talk is “Cheep”! If you have a problem, take the appropriate action.Don’t gripe and complain and resist what God is calling you to do.Be a part of the solution!
David also spoke of the sparrow: Psalm 84
“How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O LORD of hosts! My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the LORD; My soul and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. The sparrowalso has found a house, And the swallowa nest for herself, where she may lay her young, Even Thine altars, O LORD of host, My King and My God. How blessed are those who dwell in Thy House! They are ever praising Thee.” If God cares for the sparrows, He surely cares for us.
God told David: • “For every animal of the forest is Mine, and the cattle of a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine.” Psalm 50: 10-11
Here’s a challenge: • This year, every time you see a sparrow, remember these things God’s Word teaches us. Rather than worry, Pray & Trust God. Rather than complain and gripe, Give Thanks to God. Rather than worry about the future, Rest in Him today and look forward to what He has in store for us that is yet to come!
Take every opportunity He gives you in this new year to: • Spread the Good News with those who have never heard it. • Encourage those around you to focus on the important things of life. • Join the sparrows and all the rest of creation in PRAISING THE LORD OF HOST!