Matthew 10:29-31 contains one of the most well-known verses of the Bible:
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.“
Similarly, in Luke 12:6-7 records “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Five sparrows for two pennies basically meant that if you buy four for two pennies you get one free. Both two sparrows for a penny and five sparrows for two illustrate how cheap it was to buy them. Sparrows were customarily thought of as the smallest of creatures and they were also numerous in all of Israel. The penny was one of the least valuable Roman coins. God is sovereign over even the most insignificant events including the tiny sparrows that are not worth much to people — when they eat, when they reproduce, and when they die. Since the heavenly Father gives constant sovereign supervision even to seemingly insignificant creatures, surely he will also care for his disciples in their mission to proclaim the good news of the kingdom and he will also care and provide for those who he has adopted through his Son by the finished work of The Cross.
The Hebrew word for Sparrow is “Dror” which means freedom. It is no mistake that God ordained and inspired Matthew and Luke’s recording of what Jesus spoke about sparrows to illustrate freedom for us who are in Christ.
Questions to ask yourself:
- What else in creation reminds you of the freedom you have in Christ?
Prayer Prompt:
Thank God for how He values you above all His creation because of what Jesus has done for you on The Cross.