JESUS HAS NOT FORGOTTEN ME

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7 NIV

forgotten (adj): disregarded, ignored, neglected, overlooked

Do I matter?

The question makes its way into hearts too often it seems. I remember sitting with a devastated friend who had been betrayed by some of the closest people in her life. Self-serving choices they had made left her feeling misunderstood and alone. Disregarded. Left. Forgotten.

In her pain she kept repeating, “I just want to matter. I just want to matter.”

Jesus hears that cry from every one of our hearts. That’s why he tells us about the sparrows.

I read this verse and picture these fragile, tiny sparrows darting around in the brush. Five of them together were worth only a small amount of money in Jesus’ time. I don’t know what they would cost today, but the important point is that it would not be much. Two pennies–then and now–means pretty close to nothing.

Jesus knew when he spoke these words that we would struggle with feelings of worthlessness in this life. He knew that people would break our hearts. He knew that everywhere on earth we could possibly turn would be laden with pressure to measure up, fit in, be noticed, and prove that we have value.

And he knew that striving to do these things–to prove our worth–would often take us to dark, empty places. Lonely places that reinforce the lie that we are worth pretty close to nothing. That maybe we don’t really matter.

But when we find ourselves in these places, Jesus wants us to remember that he has never forgotten us. And he never, ever will.

Because some of the most healing words in the English language mean the opposite of forgotten: remembered, cherished, treasured, and attended to.

 Jesus our great high priest remembers us as he intercedes for us before our Father.

Jesus our true friend cherishes us–delighting in who he has made us to be as we grow closer to him.

Jesus our Savior treasures us so much that he died on the cross in our place.

And Jesus our faithful shepherd attends to us–tenderly and fiercely taking care of his precious lambs.

We are never forgotten by Jesus because we matter–more than anything–to him.

Dear Jesus, thank you that I am never forgotten by you. When I feel small and insignificant and worthless, you remind me that I matter. You remember me, you cherish me, you treasure me, and you attend to me. The sparrows and the cross will help me to believe that I am worth everything to you. Amen.

TAKE YOUR TICKET

If you see or hear a little bird today, remember that Jesus has his eye on you every moment. He values you more than you can even imagine.