Our paragraph topic is: (Confidence in divine protection) Part 7.
Christ has made a comparison with the birds of the air. He has indicated that two sparrows are sold for a farthing, a thing of little value. Yet even they are watched over by our heavenly Father. Not one falls to the ground without the leave of the father. Christ has told his disciples in previous passages that the salt has no value if it looses its strength. It is of no good except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. And yet this does not happen without the leave of the father. The decision is upon the individual. The choice is theirs. And the father will abide by their decision. Yet he will wait until the last minute until the last hope of turnaround before leaving the person to their decision to live without him. When we do not accept the message of the kingdom of heaven we turn our backs to Christ and become things of little value. And yet he does not give up on us. He continues to wait and to expect a turnaround in our decision to accept him.
Christ comes now and tells his disciples that even though two sparrows are of little value, God does not allow them to fall without his knowledge. He cares about the smallest thing of value and he cares about the greatest thing of value. And man is of great value to him. Christ tells us that, "The very hairs of your head are all numbered." This is how important the souls of men are to God. He knows all about us, even down to the individual hair follicles on our heads. He is intimately involved with everything about us. And nothing happens to us without his knowledge. Christ says because, "You are of more value than many sparrows." Our heavenly value is greater than many sparrows. God loves us more. He protects us more. He provides for us more. Christ is telling this to his disciples because he wants them to know their heavenly value. He wants them to know that their God will protect them, provide for them, and keep them in his love. Though they do battle with the evil one and come against his minions, God will be the ultimate protector. Their job is to carry that message to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and tell them about the goodness of the Lord.
Christ has made a comparison with the birds of the air. He has indicated that two sparrows are sold for a farthing, a thing of little value. Yet even they are watched over by our heavenly Father. Not one falls to the ground without the leave of the father. Christ has told his disciples in previous passages that the salt has no value if it looses its strength. It is of no good except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. And yet this does not happen without the leave of the father. The decision is upon the individual. The choice is theirs. And the father will abide by their decision. Yet he will wait until the last minute until the last hope of turnaround before leaving the person to their decision to live without him. When we do not accept the message of the kingdom of heaven we turn our backs to Christ and become things of little value. And yet he does not give up on us. He continues to wait and to expect a turnaround in our decision to accept him.
Christ comes now and tells his disciples that even though two sparrows are of little value, God does not allow them to fall without his knowledge. He cares about the smallest thing of value and he cares about the greatest thing of value. And man is of great value to him. Christ tells us that, "The very hairs of your head are all numbered." This is how important the souls of men are to God. He knows all about us, even down to the individual hair follicles on our heads. He is intimately involved with everything about us. And nothing happens to us without his knowledge. Christ says because, "You are of more value than many sparrows." Our heavenly value is greater than many sparrows. God loves us more. He protects us more. He provides for us more. Christ is telling this to his disciples because he wants them to know their heavenly value. He wants them to know that their God will protect them, provide for them, and keep them in his love. Though they do battle with the evil one and come against his minions, God will be the ultimate protector. Their job is to carry that message to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and tell them about the goodness of the Lord.
Because of that protection Christ tells them again not to be afraid. They are things of great value to the Lord. God will not allow any harm to come to them as they travel throughout the towns and villages carrying the message to the people. So, he tells them again, "Therefore do not be afraid." They will not be lost to the torments of hell. Do not be afraid, for they will not be tortured by Satan. Do not be afraid for they are more valuable than many sparrows. But to those who are released by God, they have no value. To those who will not accept the message of the kingdom, they will have no value. To those who do not receive the disciples, it will be better for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement than for them that do not receive the message of the kingdom.
Christ values us. Christ loves us and so does God our Father. We will not fall, unless it is our decision. We will not be overcome by the tricks and traps of the devil, unless we decide not to accept the love that God offers us. The decision is ours to make. We are more valuable in God's eyes. He knows even the individual hairs on our heads. The message is clear. Heed the calling of Christ and repent. Turn away from the worship of pagan gods and turn to the one true God in heaven. Do not be afraid for he loves you very much and will protect you. Do not be afraid for he will provide for you. Do not be afraid for he will love you. And do not be afraid because he will keep you in his hands and out of the hands of the evil one. For Christ has told us that the very hairs of our heads are numbered so do not be afraid. We are worth many sparrows so do not be afraid. Are you a disciple of Christ or a disciple of the world?
