Even the sparrows matter (and so do you!)

"Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  And even the hairs of your head are all counted.  So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:28-31, NRSV).

I've become a bird watcher. As I'm writing this, I'm staring at the female cardinal and sparrows on our bird feeders. The blue jay and male cardinals visited a bit ago, and the mourning doves are hanging out on the ground where I can hear but not see them. I can't tell you the difference between many birds (other than the obvious ones), and I'm not sure which bird makes what sound other than the coo of the mourning doves, but I like to watch the birds and appreciate their beauty. They're smart—they know when to hide from the hawks that circle the area. They're funny—they flit and fly around each other on the two feeders as if it's a competition to see who can stay in one spot the longest. They're beautiful, particularly the vibrant colors of the cardinals, goldfinches, and blue jays. The little sparrows, though not as flashy, camouflage incredibly well in the bushes and mulch, and their wings have patterns all their own. Nevertheless, I'm definitely more excited and interested when the cardinals stop by, especially on gray days when their bright color adds a splash of joy and sunshine to an otherwise dreary day.

In Jesus' world, there were certainly a number of "cardinals." The wealthy rulers of his day wore vibrant colors and sparkling jewelry with styled hair and makeup. They showed their power and wealth through their appearance. Most of Jesus' audience, however, would have been clothed in the poorer clothing of the day. This simpler clothing may have been dyed various colors, but it was not as fancy and decorative as the wealthy, to put it mildly. In addition, those who were the poorest likely wore clothing which would have been light browns (natural fibers) or maybe bleached white (bleached using urine and possibly sulphur). In looks, these very poor "sparrows" paled in comparison to the brighter, wealthier, more powerful "cardinals."

Yet Jesus reminds his audience that even the sparrows' lives are in God's hands. God hasn't forgotten them. If they die, it's because God allowed them to fall. In a world where death was an ever-present reality, this was good news: God was still in control and still loving people even when they died. Rather than viewing death as a result of God's forgetfulness, neglect, or lack of care, Jesus informs them that death falls under God's purview—the God who values them and knows them intimately, even to the number of hairs on their heads. Furthermore, in this particular context of Jesus' teaching, Jesus tells his followers they'll be persecuted, but he uses the example of the sparrows to encourage them: whatever happens, they're in God's hands. And if God can count the hairs on their head, certainly he can protect them from losing the eternal life Jesus has promised them, whether or not their earthly bodies are killed. God has already determined their worth!

In the first century world, people were valuable due to their power, wealth, and might, which were blessings from the Roman gods. Those not blessed by the gods struggled, faced poverty, and lacked value and importance. The "sparrows" were worth little, and the gods didn't pay attention to them but to the "cardinals." Jesus challenges this narrative by claiming that his God cared for all people, even those whom society overlooked and deemed unimportant, like the sparrows. Moreover, while Rome prided itself on its power to kill and destroy its enemies, Jesus informs his listeners that their God, not the gods of Rome, has the ultimate power—and that power includes the power to save people from eternal destruction. The "sparrows" didn't need to fear death (or the other "birds") because their God valued them, cared for them, and wouldn't leave them.

The next time you see the birds, use those harder-to-see, plainer, not-as-exciting, tiny sparrows to remind you that "you are of more value than many sparrows." You matter. And the God whom you serve (if you're a follower of Jesus) will keep you, love you, and be with you, whatever the day might bring.