barry
01-15-2007, 10:05 AM
Today's text:
Matthew 10:29 - "Do not two sparrows sell for a coin of small value? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without YOUR Father’s [knowledge]."
Comments from WT 08/01/05 (translated from Dutch)
Jesus' illustrations gives us a good impression of Jehovah's concern for His servants. Let's look at the matter of the sparrows. During the time of Jesus, sparrows were eaten, but because they damaged the crops, they were considered as vermin.
Sparrows were so common and cheap, you could buy 2 for only 5 cent. And with the double amount, you could buy not only 4 but 5 sparrows - the extra bird was given as if it had no value (Luc 12:6).
Also think about the size of this common bird. Compared with a lot of other birds, a grown up sparrow is still rather small. Nevertheless the Greek word used in Matthew 10:29, which is translated with sparrows, means specifically small sparrows. Apparently Jesus wanted his apostles to think about a particular insignificant bird. As a certain reference book says, Jesus is refering to a very small bird and he was even using a diminutive
With the illustration of the sparrows, Jesus showed clearly that something which might be irrelevant for people, is important for Jehovah. Jesus accentuated this by adding that no sparrow will fall to the ground without Jehovah's knowledge. The lesson is clear. If Jehovah cares for one of the smallest and insignificant birds, how much more does Jehovah care for humans who chose to serve Him.
much love,
Barry
Matthew 10:29 - "Do not two sparrows sell for a coin of small value? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without YOUR Father’s [knowledge]."
Comments from WT 08/01/05 (translated from Dutch)
Jesus' illustrations gives us a good impression of Jehovah's concern for His servants. Let's look at the matter of the sparrows. During the time of Jesus, sparrows were eaten, but because they damaged the crops, they were considered as vermin.
Sparrows were so common and cheap, you could buy 2 for only 5 cent. And with the double amount, you could buy not only 4 but 5 sparrows - the extra bird was given as if it had no value (Luc 12:6).
Also think about the size of this common bird. Compared with a lot of other birds, a grown up sparrow is still rather small. Nevertheless the Greek word used in Matthew 10:29, which is translated with sparrows, means specifically small sparrows. Apparently Jesus wanted his apostles to think about a particular insignificant bird. As a certain reference book says, Jesus is refering to a very small bird and he was even using a diminutive
With the illustration of the sparrows, Jesus showed clearly that something which might be irrelevant for people, is important for Jehovah. Jesus accentuated this by adding that no sparrow will fall to the ground without Jehovah's knowledge. The lesson is clear. If Jehovah cares for one of the smallest and insignificant birds, how much more does Jehovah care for humans who chose to serve Him.
much love,
Barry