The Will of God and Dead Sparrows

I work in a large building in New York City.  The lobby has a high ceiling and large window that is the entire length of a city block on one of its sides.  Yesterday, as I was waiting for the elevator to the 25^th floor where my office is, I saw a sparrow flying around inside.  It was obviously disoriented since it had probably never been indoors before.  It caught a glimpse of the large window and made a break for it, darting quickly to make its escape.  I’m sure you know how this story ends.  It smacked the glass at full speed and fell gently to the ground where it took its last breath a few moments later.

I felt weird after I witnessed this.  I mean its just a sparrow obviously but to watch it die so suddenly threw me off for a few minutes.  It was just the uncertainty of it all.  This morning in its sparrow life was no different than any other morning, but the result was different.  It just seemed so chaotic.  I could easily “hit the glass” today, tomorrow or any given day, what does it all mean?

Later in the day, the Lord impressed something from his Word on my heart, and I felt compelled to share it on the blog.  Jesus says:

“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.”  - Matthew 10:29-31

The example of a sparrow is used because a sparrow was an animal of small value in Jesus’ time.  (even less so now, as I don’t know anyone who’s ever bought a sparrow)  In Luke, Jesus tells the same story except changes the values.  Instead of 2 for a penny he speaks of 5 for 2 pennies.  Spend two pennies, get one sparrow free!  Despite its small value, not a single sparrow is hatched, lives, or dies without God’s sovereign will being done in its life.  I am saying that God rendered it certain yesterday that the sparrow would run into that glass and die with me looking on.  “…not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.”

The context of this verse is Jesus sending out his disciples to preach the gospel.  He tells them that they will face extreme opposition and they should expect that certain people will hate their message.

The purpose of this saying is so that his disciples would not be afraid when they met this opposition.  God’s will is done in the life of a sparrow, how much more will His will be done in the life of you, whom he loves?  “Fear not”,  he says, “you are of more value than many sparrows”  This may seem obvious to most of us, but there are those who would disagree that humans are more valuable than sparrows.  In fact, to an atheist, there is no good reason to think that humans are anything special. They may say otherwise, even though they have no grounds to. They know better.

Are you a disciple of Jesus?  If you are, you will face opposition.  People will hate what you have to say.  They may even hate you.  The world may seem chaotic and random.  It may seem like everyone hates that you’re a Christian and they will call you names, and shout you down.  You may be afraid.  Maybe not for your life, but maybe about the friends it could cost you, or the offending you might do or other consequences it could have.  Do not worry.  His will will be done in your life.  Ask yourself:

Are you of more value than a sparrow?