Context No. 3671 of 4322 · Matthew

Matthew 10:29-33: in context

29“Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. 32Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven. 33But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.

Jesus grounds fearlessness in the Father's intimate care: are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father. If God is attentive even to the fall of a single sparrow, and knows the very number of the hairs on our heads, then we are held in a care so detailed and complete that fear loses its grip.

You are of more value than many sparrows, Jesus says; therefore do not be afraid. And this freedom from fear makes bold confession possible: everyone who acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. Because we know we are watched over by a Father who counts sparrows and numbers our hairs, we can openly own Christ before the world, unafraid of what people may do to us. The intimate care of God and the call to bold confession go together: a fearlessness rooted in being fully known and truly treasured sets us free to stand up for Christ.

Does the truth that my Father knows and cares for me down to the smallest detail free me from fear, so that I can openly confess Christ before others?

Sources

Matthew 10:29: "Aren't two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will."
Matthew 10:31: "Therefore don't be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows."
Matthew 10:32: "Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven."