More Valuable Than Sparrows

‘A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! ‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. ‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:24-33

Do not be afraid! Don't be scared! Easier said than done for me and most people. New situations, new places and new people scare us sometimes. And sometimes we scare ourselves. In October, scary images, stories and movies fill the air. When I worked in a two-year-old day care, we read a book to the kids, "The Don't be Scared Book" all the time. At the end of each page the final line was "don't be scared!" which the children loved to shout with me. Under the bed, the dark night, and all sorts of things were noted in the book that we shouted back, "don't be scared!" We adults know that we have terrors in our lives that scare us to our core, from the violence and politics to our own health and safety. And to all our terrors and fears, Jesus reminds us how valuable and cared for we are. We are loved and hovered over, cared for despite all our fears. "Don't be scared!"

Wondrous Creator, you set us on this earth

teaching us how to live faithfully and well

surrounding us with communities of love.

Too often, we find ourselves afraid to live

life changes and leadership turns cruel

and we are trembling and crying all the time.

Yet you hold us close and supply our needs

you tell us to take heart and to be fearless

for you are defending us and loving us perfectly. Amen.