Take a look at the context of this verse, Matthew 10:31. Three times within a few breaths, Christ tells believers that we should not fear. The last two times, he sandwiches those comforting words with warnings of death and hell. In the end, he exhorts us to openly confess Jesus as Lord. 

Several times I have heard people quote Bible promises with no concept of the recipient of the promise. Christ, in this section, is speaking to those who will remain true to their faith in the face of opposition, persecution, torture and death. He’s not speaking to those who will fall away when the going gets tough.  

Like the sparrow, true Christians will face a stormy day. We sometimes fly against the wind. Often we are tossed by updrafts of the storm. Like the sparrow, we are often pursued by predators. In the end, we will fall to the ground like sparrows. 

The point Christ makes here is that, to man, the sparrow is practically worthless. One could buy two sparrows to offer as sacrifice at the Temple for a farthing. That would equate to about four birds for a penny. No matter how little value man sees in the sparrow, they are of great value to God. He knows when one dies.

But, sparrows are not made in the image of God. We are. Sparrows are not made with body, soul, and spirit. We are. They have no free will to follow God or reject Him. We do. Sparrows will not be resurrected. We will. 

Sparrows cannot become the children of God. As much as God cares for the sparrows, He ultimately loves us much, much more. We are His children…

… If we confess Christ before men. If we fear Him. If we love Him. 

Those who confess Christ publicly, before men, Fear Not, for you are worth so much more than a bunch of sparrows. 

———

I sing because I’m happy

I sing because I’m free

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know he watches

…He watches me

– His Eye Is On The Sparrow  

Written by C. D. Martin and Charles Gabriel. 

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We live in a time of fear. Wars, terrorism, political upheaval, persecution, and the threat of pandemics; who wouldn’t fear?

This passage, in Matthew 10, puts things into perspective. The world is evil, and, yes, there are those who might be able to destroy the flesh, and take your life. They don’t, however, have the ability to destroy your soul (or spirit). 

Only God has the power to destroy both body and soul, and that He reserved for those who chose hell over an eternity in heaven. 

Those who avoid hell are those whose fear of God compel them to surrender to Him. 

The fear of God that leads to salvation does not remain fear. In the verses that follow Christ’s warning to fear God, He describes the love and protection afforded those who fear God. 

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:29-30 NIV

Fear of God grows into love of God, and then grows into obedience to God. Because of God’s divine hand of protection of our soul, we no longer fear those who can kill only the soul. 

Why does God protect the souls of those who fear Him? Because He loves us. 

Why do we grow to love and obey God? Because He first loved us. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

Your perfect love is casting out fear

And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life

I won’t turn back

I know you are near

And I will fear no evil

For my God is with me

And if my God is with me

Whom then shall I fear?

Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go

Through the calm and through the storm

Oh no, You never let go

In every high and every low

Oh no, You never let go

Lord, You never let go of me

– Matt Redman

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