Scripture Daily

Context No. 3632 of 4322 · Luke

Context · Reflection

Luke 12:6-12: in context

6“Aren’t five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God. 7But the very hairs of your head are all counted. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. 8“I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God; 9but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of God’s angels. 10Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how or what you will answer or what you will say; 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say.”

Jesus grounds our freedom from fear in the detailed care of God. Not one sparrow, sold five for two pennies, is forgotten by God; and even the hairs of your head are all numbered. If God attends to the smallest sparrow and knows the very number of our hairs, how much more does he care for us, who are worth more than many sparrows. Therefore, Jesus says, do not fear.

Our security rests in the intimate, detailed knowledge and care of God for each of us. And this frees us to be bold witnesses: whoever acknowledges Christ before others, he will acknowledge before the angels of God. And when we are dragged before authorities for his name, we need not be anxious about what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach us in that very hour. The God who knows every sparrow and numbers our hairs is the God who watches over us and will give us the words we need when we need them. Fear not; you are fully known and truly treasured by God.

Do I let the truth that God knows and treasures me down to the smallest detail free me from fear, so that I can boldly confess Christ, trusting the Spirit to give me words when I need them?

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