GOD IS GREATER AND HE VALUES US
MATTHEW 10:28-31
MATTHEW 10:28-31 NKJ
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
OBSERVATION:
Jesus was speaking to His disciples who were about to go out preaching.
He is giving some overall instructions about being His representative. He instructs them to proclaim the kingdom of heaven and to heal, cleanse lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons. Pretty amazing stuff for these former fishermen and businessmen.
Jesus also warns them not everyone would accept them. So, they were to be as wise as snakes and as harmless as doves. And He lets them know they will be persecuted because of their association with Him. It is worth noting that most of this persecution occurred after Jesus was raised from the dead. He is speaking to them prophetically about what was coming.
In the middle of all this trouble from people, Jesus tells them not to be afraid of people. People cannot influence their eternal destiny. Only God can do that. Men may kill the body, but they cannot kill the spirit of man.
This may have alarmed the disciples, so Jesus follows with some comforting words. Sparrows were not an expensive purchase. They were a common bird with very little monetary value. And yet, in God's immense knowledge, not one would die without God's knowing about it. He knows and values seemingly insignificant birds.
But even the hairs on their heads were accounted for. God knows the exact number. And if the sparrows did not escape His knowledge, how much more His children. God knows and values people more than birds.
APPLICATION:
We have repeated the term that the hairs on our heads are numbered. But have we been able to wrap our minds around the enormity of God's knowledge and His value of us?
It is very easy to get caught up in people and the concerns about what people think. But Jesus is encouraging us to have a greater respect for God and what He can do in our lives.
People will come and go, but God never changes. People may reject us, but God is the One who has assigned our true value. Our value is not measured in sparrows. Rather God has determined mankind's worth by the price He paid to buy us back. That price was the blood of His Son, and it's priceless.
So just when you think God does not know or care. Remember, He has your hair numbered. And He sent His Son to give His life for you. That's value, eternal value.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Father. You see me, know me and love me. I belong to You.