What Birds Can Teach Us About Fear
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” -Luke 12:6-7
What do the birds teach us about fear? More than you probably think. On the road south to Jerusalem, as Jesus trains the Twelve for a lifetime of ministry, he hits on the price of a bird to urge them towards faith instead of fear. Sparrows aren’t worth much. Less than a penny a-piece in Jesus’ day. And yet, Jesus never forgets one. The thrust of his reference to the birds is that we who are made in His image, and for whom He goes to the cross to die, are of more value than birds.
These verses, freshly cherry-picked from their context have been featured in many popular devotionals, focusing on God’s mindfulness of us. The point is made that we are the apple of His eye, and by grace alone we dare to make that claim. But we must go further than, “God knows every detail about me” or “I’m valuable to Him” if we’re going to get the juice from this lemon.
The tone of these verses is deadly serious. In fact, the fear Jesus is urging them away from is a kind of fear that the Bible says enslaves men. Foxe wrote a little book about it, with the word Martyr in the title. The problem of the passage is that in days to come, while establishing the world-wide church, those who “kill the body” (v. 5) would be stalking the lives of Jesus’ disciples. In fact, some of the ones hearing about the market price of birds would be among the first martyrs. The temptation would be great to shrink back in fear and to tone down messaging to save their skin.
The fear of death, which touches us all in some measure is the crux of the passage, and the birds help us overcome it. How? Just before these verses, in Luke 12:5, Jesus says, “Fear Him!” referring to Himself, the One who has authority to cast sinful men into hell. But of their future persecutors, he says, “Fear them not.” The Man who wields all authority on earth and in heaven is greater. And so, if Jesus looks out for the birds, surely he’s looking out for you.
If we follow this passage to its future and logical conclusion, we will be blessed to think on this: On Day of the Lord, even as Jesus casts our persecutors into hell, we will be gathered to our reward. Until then, the Greatest Man, to whom all authority has been granted, will not allow anything to befall us that isn’t ultimately for our good and His glory. And who knows—in a grand display of His mercy, He may even save some of our persecutors.
It’s spring now, and the sweet sound of chirping birds wakes us up. Next time you hear them, be reminded that He who looks after them, looks after for you as you suffer for his Name. How could He not? For you and I are of more value than many sparrows.
