[Jesus said,] “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside of your Father’s care.” (Matthew 10:29)
Somehow I have gotten things mixed up. In the past, I have understood this passage in the following way: “Not one sparrow will fall to the ground without the Father knowing about it” or “All sparrows are within the Father’s care, until they fall to the ground.” But that is not what the passage says. Jesus is saying that the sparrows are always within the Father’s care, even as they fall to the ground. Throughout their entire lives, including when they fall to the ground and die, these little birds, which are almost worthless by human valuation, are loved and cared for by God.
And if God cares that much for sparrows, then he will certainly care much, much more for you and me. This is also true for every human being on the planet for each and every one is made in the image of God. God still loves each person and cares for them, even if they reject God.
So even when I was thumbing my nose at God, he was still caring for me and loving me. And when I suffer in a black pit of despair, God is still loving and caring me. And when I lie on my death bed and face my own death all by myself, I am not outside my Father’s care.
Jesus Emmanuel is always with us, and because he went through death for us and all people and then rose again, we know that he will bring us safely through death and out the other side into a wonderful and glorious future. With Jesus, you are never outside of the Father’s loving care.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to embrace the love that is embracing me. Amen.
Farewell to Shadowlands 