Gospel Matthew 10.29-31

Jesus said to his disciples: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from 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.”

Sermon: “Sparrows and us.”

Birds are beautiful, aren’t they? Beautiful free soaring birds flying high in the blue skies and drifting clouds.

Beautiful birds nesting in the trees and feeding their small chicks.

Beautiful birds singing joyfully to greet the morning or to accompany the sun as it is setting.

Beautiful birds that we cannot but listen to, watch in awe and let our thoughts soar with them as they fly higher and higher.

Beautiful birds also play a significant role in our Bible.

In the story of Creation, the birds were made to soar and inhabit the skies – and in the story of Noah’s Arc, - after the big flood and rain, the first creature to be sent from the Arc, is a bird. “Fly out to find dry land. Fly out to find a tree to nest in. Fly out to find hope.” Noah said as he sends the beautiful white dove out. The first time it returned, tired and with no hope. The second time the dove returned with a green leaf and hope in its beak: and the third time the dove did not return as it had found dry land and a tree to nest in.

So, the beautiful dove is a symbol of hope.

The Eagle is also a prominent bird in the bible. The eagle is strong, large, courageous and free spirited – and often we are encouraged to be like an Eagle – to dare to soar and fly free and high and take loving care of our offspring like an eagle.

When Jesus was baptized in the river of Jordan, the heavens opened, and a dove descended on him: the Holy spirit of god in the shape of a dove. Just like you see at the stained-glass window. A beautiful dove or spirit, hope and love. “He saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him….”

Jesus walked the dusty roads, and he told many stories on his ways. Story to reflect on. Stories to be encouraged by. Stories to learn from.

In his stories, Jesus often talked about birds too.

He pointed at the birds of the heavens and said that we should like them, free, soaring, courageous and not worrying about tomorrow, because God is watching over your ways. Jesus called us to trust in God and notice how free, yes carefree and joyful, the birds are.

And Jesus also talked about the sparrows.

Do you know sparrows? They are small insignificant birds as they are not as big and majestic as Eagles and not as pure and white as doves, but they are like us humans spread all over the earth. They are common birds: they are brown, gray and white colors, ordinary colors, and might not be a source of awe and admiration. But they still have as much value as any birds, as any eagle or any dove, in the eyes of God. Just as any of us, young or old, girl or boy, black or white, are loved by God just as we are.

Jesus said that not a single sparrow falls to the ground without God knowing it and caring for it. So do not be afraid: you are even more valuable to God than the Sparrow.

Do not be afraid. That is what Jesus tells us today.

Are you ever afraid? Do you ever worry? Are you ever discouraged and sad? You might be afraid or worrisome because you feel lonely, neglected, feel that you do not have any friends, that you fail in school, that you are sick or injured or that you are bullied and criticized. There are many reasons to be afraid and worried…. But Jesus tells us today and repeatedly: Do not be afraid. Believe.

After the Sermon Cymbaline will sing a beautiful old hymn for us that is called “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”

I want to tell you a story about that song. It was written by a woman named Civilla Martin and she wrote it after overcoming great fear, worry and discouragement.

Mrs. Martin and her husband were once visiting another couple named Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle. Mr. Dolittle was crippled and had to move about in a wheelchair. Mrs. Doolittle had been confined to her bed for over 20 years because of ailments. Despite all the problems they faced in life, they always had a cheerful outlook on life. Mr. Martin asked Mrs. Doolittle: “How do you manage to remain so joyful and happy when you have so many problems and so much to worry about?”

Mrs. Doolittle reply was simple: “If God has his eve on the sparrow, then I know he is watching over me too!”

Mrs. Martin was so touched by that reply that she drafted a poem that was to become this beautiful song to which we will listen. She sends the poem to Charles Gabriel who was a gospel songwriter, who wrote a tune for it. And today we can still sing it and find comfort in it. A song that brought so many people peace and comfort for over 100 years.

His Eve is on the sparrow. Gods eye is on the sparrow.

Gods’ eve is on the majestic Eagle, the white dove and all the gray, white, brown and black sparrows of the world. And thus, we believe in each one of us too. So do not be afraid….

Amen.