In this part of Matthew, Jesus is talking to His disciples. He is preparing them for the mission He is sending them on. They are about to go out and share the Gospel, which means the Good News. Now, you would think this would be an easy job, but it was not. I think about the hard times Paul went through during his work. He was jailed, stoned, and whipped. A little further on in Matthew, we find the story of Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, being beheaded by King Herod. The dangers faced by the disciples were very real. Jesus wanted to make sure they were prepared and encouraged so they could share that Good News without fear.
In some parts of our world today, followers of Christ still face those same kinds of dangers. Yet, we hear about the courage of modern-day believers. Some carry a single page of the Bible from one person to another. Others attend worship services in buildings built upon the very same dirt Jesus walked on. These words from Jesus encouraged His earliest followers. They have continued to comfort generation after generation, all the way down to us today.
You might be facing a job loss right now, just like I am. You might be waiting for test results from the doctor. A loved one may have walked away in anger, or perhaps they are laying quietly in hospice care. The fear we carry as humans is very real. But through these words from Jesus, we can find true comfort.
In ancient times, a sparrow was worth almost nothing. Yet, God still cared about every single one that fell. If He has numbered the hairs on our heads, we know we are worth much more than a whole flock of sparrows.
When we feel overwhelmed by these heavy seasons of life, it helps to remember that God’s love isn’t based on our strength, but on His faithfulness. As the Christian poet and author Morgan Harper Nichols once wrote, “God does not love us because we are good; He loves us because He is good, and His care is the steady rhythm of grace we could never earn.”
No matter what tomorrow brings, we can rest in that steady rhythm. We do not have to carry our fears alone, because the Creator of the universe is personally watching over every detail of our lives. We are safe in His hands, and His grace is always enough for today.
Scripture Reading
Matthew 10:29-31 (NLT)
“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”
A Prayer of Encouragement
May you feel the overwhelming peace of God’s presence today, knowing that the One who numbers the hairs on your head is lovingly holding you through every storm.