Matthew 10:28-31 - His Eye Is On the Dead Sparrow

After serving ten years as Hospice Chaplain for Sanford, I am retiring. Let me take this final devotional to explain why I often sing a particular song for my patients.

Years ago as a single man, I was working as a mail clerk in downtown Chicago. To save money for my ongoing education, I found the cheapest rent possible: a boarding house in Humboldt Park. My room was ten feet by twenty, with a window at one end. There was just enough room for a single bed, a small dresser, and a tiny desk.

The residents shared a bathroom where shower sandals were a health necessity. The common kitchen smelled of rancid grease that almost dripped from the walls. When the light was turned on, cockroaches scurried to wherever roaches hide.

One day I had taken the train to the downtown "Loop." Though surrounded by a crowd of people, I was all alone. And very depressed. I trudged to the office building with my head down.

As I walked, I saw a sparrow--a dead sparrow--lying in the middle of the sidewalk. No one gave the dead bird a second thought as they hurried to their own jobs. But it jarred me. God let it fall where my down-turned head couldn't miss it.

Jesus reminded me that He said:
28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” (Matthew 10:28–31, New Living Translation*)

I have spent a lot of time with people nearing the end of their life. But in actuality, hospitals cure no one. They buy us time, but we all die. That's not depressing or daunting to Jesus. He watches over even a sparrow that dies.

"Neither life NOR death" can separate us from His love. (Romans 8:38) Love that died for us. Love that came back to life for us. Love that offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who receive it.

Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free.
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Lyrics: Civilla D. Martin
Music: Charles H. Gabriel
Illustration: Dead Sparrow on a White Surface by Andrew Howe

*Elsewhere, Jesus puts the irony more bluntly:
16 “Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish!” Luke 21:16–18 (NLT)