29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. [MATTHEW 10:29-31]
POULTRY FOR THE POOR
In Jesus’ time, sparrows were not only considered insignificant fowls, but also the the most affordable form of food for the lower tiers of the population. Probably like pigeons would be pigeonholed (pigeon pun intended!) in today’s market. Nevertheless, when you’re starving, you don’t care if it’s KFC, or Kroger’s, or from the backstreet trash can, you’ll eat it if it means your survival.
Interesting and inspiring that God didn’t make any animal worthless, or useless. He didn’t waste any matter on purpose, or accident. That includes creating YOU! And if Jesus cares for the least of the birds with great care, then know that He cares even more about YOU!
POULTRY FOR THE PILGRIMS
No matter one’s financial status, sparrows were affordable to every pilgrim coming to make sacrifices at the Temple. If a pilgrim could not afford to purchase a lamb or a dove, there were plenty of sparrows to spare. Ofttimes, if a pilgrim bought four sparrows, the merchant would through in a fifth fowl for free (Luke 12:6-7).
Even though they were perceived and used as common commodities, even a single sparrow could be used to praise and worship the Lord in the most holy of places on Earth.
DEAR SPARROW,
You are not worthless. You are not commonplace, or misplaced. Your worth is as great in God’s heart as the peaceful dove, or the magnificent eagle! He took as much care to create you as he did the mighty mountains, and the most beautiful sunsets. You are not a waste of time, an accident, or an afterthought. Therefore, no matter what deceiving and discouraging lies the world and the devil wants you to believe; no matter what your past has appeared to pigeonhole you as, YOU are still a sacred creation of God! He knows you feel lost, alone and even forgotten (Psalm 102:7), but He knows the worth of your soul and your heart and He is with you, even right now. You are not insignificant. You still have a great and beautiful purpose in life. Others may have treated you like a lower-class creation, but I say unto you that YOU are as magnificent and mighty as the whole Earth, even the entire universe and beyond! And you are as precious, priceless and loved as any and every other creation (Psalm 84:3)! So, don’t you dare stop singing. Don’t you dare stop flying. Don’t you dare stop believing that you are His scared miracle, even a gift to this world.
Today is your day to sing, to fly and to believe and live again!