Genesis 36-38 Matthew 10:21-42

“Two sparrows cost only a penny, but not even one of them can die without your Father’s knowing it. God even knows how many hairs are on your head. So don’t be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31 NCV)

As Jesus continued letting the disciples know what was ahead of them, they must have begun to welcome the idea of being arrested. He implied that death was a possibility. They would lose community standing and be accused of being in league with Beelzebub whom we equate with the devil. He “comforted” them by telling them not to be afraid of being killed, but to be afraid of the one who might kill their souls. Then, He spoke of their worth. He noted that the Father watched over sparrows that could be bought two for a penny. He was concerned about those sparrows, and yet, as much concern as the Father had for those sparrows, His concern for people was so much more. In a classic understatement, He noted that humans were worth more than many sparrows.

I thought of this verse a while ago. I saw a few of my friends who talked about how worthless they felt. I realized that the Father not only thought they were worth many sparrows, He thought they were worth the pain and heartache of the death of Jesus on the cross. If you really want to know your worth, realize that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins, and to restore your fellowship with God. That truth holds for all people. Sometimes I tend to think of others as worthless because they don’t do things the way I want them to. I need to be reminded that God knew that they weren’t worthless. If God values them so highly, then I should too.

Lord, remind me of the value of all people. No matter what they do or where they come from, You thought they were worth dying for.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.