“So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
(Matthew 10:31, part of last Sunday’s Gospel from Matt. 10:24-39)
Recent Gospel lessons have shown Jesus continuing to challenge and equip His disciples for ministry. Only this past Sunday I noticed the mention of a sparrow to help illustrate His point. You know, a winged creature just like the sparrows you and I see almost every day of our lives.
Jesus was in the process of sending out His disciples into a world of ministry full of opportunity but also plenty of unknowns. Only after all the pep talks and encouraging words came the sharing of some tough realities, namely, that not everyone would be receptive to the message they had to share. Disciples just might meet rejection and ridicule on that journey of discipleship. Even thinking about it in advance could accelerate the “fear factor.”
We might find it difficult to put ourselves in those disciples’ shoes (or sandals), but we all know about anxiety and fear. The last few months of life in our changed world have maybe caused all of us to be even a tad more anxious and fearful about what may lie around the corner for us and our loved ones. What then? In so many words, Jesus tells His disciples this: “Guys, I can feel for your hesitancy and angst, but here’s the bottom line…Don’t ever be afraid of your enemies and critics. Don’t ever be afraid of those who can kill the body and not the soul. And remember this…Aren’t sparrows the most common and cheapest bird around? Yet not one of them dies apart from God your Father. And what about you? God even knows every hair on your heads. So stop being afraid. You are of so much more value than any sparrow.”
To put it another way, God knows everything that we go through, and nothing that happens to us escapes Him. Even if we die, it doesn’t happen apart from God. Even if we seem totally abandoned, even if our prayers don’t seem to be answered, even if everything seems hopeless, God knows, and God cares. So if that’s the case, we can stop being afraid.
How wise of Jesus then, to use the example of a sparrow this time around. After all, He could have copied other Biblical references to eagles…or maybe used a nice hawk or falcon. But out of the world’s nine thousand bird species, he chose one of the most insignificant, least-noticed birds flying around. Or one we see so often in so many places that we take them for granted. A scruffy little sparrow. Jesus obviously wanted to make His point clear. Those who believe Him, follow Him and serve Him mean more to the Father than anything else. In fact, if God takes the time to marvel over each and every humble sparrow, where they are and what they’re doing, we’d better start believing that He’s keeping tabs on us. God takes so much of an interest in us that that we don’t need to be afraid, just trusting. Trusting in His promises. Promises little and big…especially the big ones of life, forgiveness and eternal salvation…made possible through the death and resurrection of Christ Himself.
Years ago, I came across a sermon attributed to St. Francis, a sermon about gratitude that he preached not to a congregation of people, but a flock of birds. I find, as with most of our bird references today, that this short message might also be fitting for those who cannot fly. St. Francis wrote...
"My sisters the birds, much are ye beholden unto God your Creator, and always in every place ought ye to praise Him, because He has given you liberty to fly wheresoever ye will, and hath clothed you with twofold and threefold raiment. Moreover, He preserved your seed in the ark of Noah that your race might not be destroyed. Again, ye are beholden unto Him for the element of the air which He hath appointed for you; furthermore, ye sow not, neither do ye reap; yet God feedeth you and giveth you rivers and fountains wherefrom to drink; He giveth you mountains and valleys for your refuge, and high trees wherein to build your nests; and, in that ye know not how to sew nor spin, God clotheth you and your little ones; wherefore doth your Creator love you seeing that He giveth you so many benefits. Guard yourselves, therefore, my sisters the birds, from the sin of ingratitude, and be ye ever mindful to give praise to God.” (Source Unknown)
What goes for birds goes for all of us as well, and I’m hopeful we might recall that message, or one like it, the next time we see one of those winged creatures from above. Especially the sparrows, those common, everyday, everywhere creatures who were likely near a manger in Bethlehem, a cross on a hill and an empty grave in Joseph’s garden. The ancestors of the ones who flew past us this morning without us even noticing. And that's OK. Just remember, the next time we see their “fly-by” or notice them gathering crumbs off the sidewalk, we might also remember that God’s noticing us and keeping tabs on us. And we need not be afraid. Really. Thanks be to God!
Father God: be with us in the journey of faith, and help us to be faithful, regardless of the daily challenges and threats in our world and lives. Help us to trust in Your promises, and should we ever doubt that You are watching over us, open our eyes to see a sparrow or two…and then cause us to smile and say “thank you!” We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Dale Koehneke – June 25, 2020