Luke 12:1-7 | Psalm 84:1-3
Perhaps you’ve heard the notion that the best thing that could happen to you would be for all your darkest secrets to be broadcast on the news…because then you would only have grace upon which to rely.
This might seem far-fetched, but Jesus is clear here that nothing is truly hidden in the end. Does this motivate you? Why or why not?
Sparrows are plentiful. They’re really all over the place. A quick Google search reveals there are some 1.6 billion house sparrows in the world, the most populous of all birds. If you add up all 200 species of sparrows, there are more than the number of humans on the planet.
You are worth more than them, Jesus says. But not one of them is overlooked by God.
Luke 12:1-7
When a crowd of thousands upon thousands had gathered so that they were crushing each other, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples: “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees—I mean, the mismatch between their hearts and lives. Nothing is hidden that won’t be revealed, and nothing is secret that won’t be brought out into the open. Therefore, whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and whatever you have whispered in the rooms deep inside the house will be announced from the rooftops.
“I tell you, my friends, don’t be terrified by those who can kill the body but after that can do nothing more. I’ll show you whom you should fear: fear the one who, after you have been killed, has the authority to throw you into hell. Indeed, I tell you, that’s the one you should fear. Aren’t five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them is overlooked by God. Even the hairs on your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.
Psalm 84:1-3
How lovely is your dwelling place,
Lord of heavenly forces!
My very being longs, even yearns,
for the Lord’s courtyards.
My heart and my body
will rejoice out loud to the living God!
Yes, the sparrow too has found a home there;
the swallow has found herself a nest
where she can lay her young beside your altars,
Lord of heavenly forces, my king, my God!
Those who live in your house are truly happy;
they praise you constantly.
Prayer
God,
How do you know about every sparrow in the world? Honestly…it doesn’t seem possible, nor necessary. Not that you asked me.
I guess that’s what Jesus is challenging in me, isn’t it? That’s the point: sparrows seem insignificant, but they are not. And so I am not.
This is hard to accept sometimes, God. Who am I that you would care? I can seem so boring, so unneeded, so insignificant. In the terms of the world, this is even true.
But then again…that’s your whole point in Christ, isn’t it? You do not judge like the world does. I’m working on accepting this.
So help me, God: help me to realize your love for me.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.