His Eye is on the Sparrow

The following passage may at first seem like an odd place to find Heavenly comfort following the death of someone dear to us. But comparing ourselves to birds may be very helpful, as it turns out, if Jesus is the one who is drawing our attention to them!

“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)

This passage addresses the greater issue of fear - which is certainly no stranger to those who have lost someone close. We fear the pathway of sorrow, both for ourselves and others who are mourning; we fear that another dear one might be taken from us; we fear for the eternal state of the one we’ve just lost. Widows fear loneliness and lack of protection now that their husbands are gone; grieving parents fear the future without the child who could have cared for them in their old age, and they accuse themselves, wondering if they could have done more to save their children from death. Nearly every death results, at least for a time, in anxious thoughts.

So how do sparrows help? Jesus is pronouncing in these verses that sparrows are watched by God every moment of every day. Given that we, children of the living God, are of “more value than many sparrows,” Jesus is emphatically stating that not even a hair can fall from our heads without His notice. Imagine that!

This passage helps us to understand that the death of our loved one did not surprise God. He more than noticed this tragic event. He sees our tears and comforts us in the way that only He can. He hears our fearful thoughts and encourages us to persevere on our journey of grief. He supplies all the grace and mercy necessary to carry us forward. God even gives us the energy and love to reach out to others who suffer loss.

Let’s fight our fear with these words of Jesus. The next time we see a sparrow let’s give a smile (feeble though it may be) and a prayer of thanksgiving to God for His immeasurable goodness to us in orchestrating all events, even painful ones, for our good and His glory.