4 March | Youth
«Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.» Matthew 10:29-31
The message of today's verse is also recorded in Luke 12:6 and 7. It is written: “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?” Math was never my favorite subject at school, but I learned how to do basic math. Here is the problem: Matthew advertises two sparrows for a coin. Luke speaks of five sparrows for two. After all, if a coin buys two sparrows; with two coins, you would certainly buy four. Lucas, however, says that more can be done.
In reality, the exact price of sparrows in Jesus' time did not matter much. What Christ was teaching is the fact that, although these little animals are worth little to people, God does not forget any of them. From this truth, Jesus concludes His teaching: “You are worth more than many sparrows” (Matt 10:31). If God does not forget the sparrows, it means He always has you in mind.
Jesus is the only one who can put a price tag on human beings. He created us and, with His blood, redeemed us. That is why He guarantees that we are worth more than many birds. A lot more.
I meet so many young people who measure their value by the external symbols of collective identification. Sometimes it is the type of shorts or cap, haircut, or makeup brand. None of this represents who you are or determines your worth. Jesus used this illustration to show how much we are worth to God. If no one values you, know that God values you. If no one cares about you, He cares. Ultimately, the real value of things is determined by the buyer. This is how we discover how much we are worth.
Jesus determines the price of our existence. He purchased us with His blood by giving His own life to redeem us from the condemnation of sin (1 Pet 1:18-19). He did not die for sparrows, but for wounded and rejected people, like you and me. Do not despise, devalue, or waste your life. You are worth much more than many birds!