Matthew 10:31

Dearer Than A Sparrow

Ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31.

We don't value a sparrow very much, do we? Sparrows are so plentiful, so plain-looking, so cheeky and greedy and quarrelsome, that we are inclined to look down upon them. Of course Mr. Sparrow has his good points. He is a cheery little fellow, and he stays with us all winter when birds of finer feather or sweeter song desert us for warmer climes. And whatever his faults, he is no snob, for he chirps just as brightly in the smoky, dirty city as in the green country lanes.

But if sparrows are numerous and despised here, they are much more so in the land where Jesus lived; for there is perhaps no country in the world where they are more plentiful than in Palestine. There they are to be found in thousands. In the springtime the trees and shrubs are stuffed full of their nests. They are regarded as a nuisance. They are caught by hundreds in snares and sold to the poor people for food. In Christ's time they were so cheap that two could be bought for a farthing and if you bought two farthings worth one was thrown into the bargain.

When Jesus wished to show His disciples how much God cared for them He spoke about the despised sparrows. God gave the sparrows their life, and they are precious in His sight. He enters into all their little joys and troubles. He does not forget any of them, and He notices when even one falls to the ground. Jesus told His disciples not to be anxious and fearful. If God could look after the sparrows, how much more could He care for the men and women and children whom He made in His own image. They were “of more value than many sparrows.”

Now I think we can learn two lessons here. And the first is that we should he kind to the sparrows. We should be kind to the sparrows and to all God's creatures, for He made them and He cares for them, and when we ill-treat them we are hurting God.

When George Frederic Watts, the famous artist, was a boy he suffered a great deal from bad health. Often he laid in bed for days at a time; and how do you think he amused himself? He made friends with a sparrow. He managed to tame it so well that it would perch on his head as he lay in bed and even eat out of his plate.

There are just two ways we can treat God's creatures. We can be kind to them and make them our friends, or we can be cruel to them and make them our enemies. Those of you who have pets at home can tell me which is the better way.

And then in the second place our text teaches us how much God cares for us. We are apt to think of God as a Great Being who lives afar off, and who rules the world. We forget that He is very near to every one of us, so close that He hears every sigh we breathe, so close that He sees every tear we shed. God does indeed rule the world and guide the stars in their courses, but He is so great and wonderful that He also knows every one of His children here below.

Some years ago King Edward the Seventh visited Norwich. The school children were drawn up in a line to meet him, and when he passed along they cheered just as loud as ever they could, and they sang “God save the king” with all their heart and soul. But after the monarch had passed by one little girl was found in floods of tears. The teacher, trying to comfort her, asked, “Didn't you see the king?” “Ye es,” sobbed the girl, “but he did didn't see me!”

An earthly king, no matter how kind and willing he may be, cannot see everybody, but the great King of kings sees and knows and loves each one of us as though that one were the only person in the world. He knows you far more intimately than your father or mother does. He is never too busy looking after the world to forget one of you. It doesn't matter how plain you are, or how poor, or how little thought of, God cares for you. He cares for the plain, despised sparrow, and He cares far, far more for you.

I'm only a little sparrow,

A bird of low degree;

My life is of little value,

But the dear Lord cares for me.

I know there are many sparrows;

All over the world they are found;

But our Heavenly Father knoweth

When one falls to the ground.

I fly through the thickest forest,

I alight on many a spray;

I have no chart or compass,

But I never lose my way.

I just fold my wings at nightfall

Wherever I happen to be;

For the Father is always watchings

No harm can happen to me.

I am only a little sparrow,

A bird of low degree,

But I know that the Father loves me.

Dost thou know His love for thee?