Luke 12:7

Verse of the Day Devotion Luke 12:7

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.” –  Luke 12:7 

Many times, in the gospels Jesus is said to tell His people not to fear.  Mark shared these words from Jesus. “But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” Mark 5:36. And from John we read, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27. Here in our focus verse, Jesus gives the reason why we have no need to fear. 

First, let us look at verses 1-3. “Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.” Luke 12:1-3. As Jesus continued in the general direction towards Jerusalem, vast multitudes came to hear Him. The crowds were so large that some were injured in that some were trampled by others. Jesus then spoke to His disciples saying, beware of hypocrisy.  Hypocrisy is like leaven in the sense that it only takes a little bit of it to affect a great mass. A little bit of hypocrisy can be like a little bit of strong poison. In light of their tremendous popularity, it was especially important for the disciples to remember this. The temptation to hypocrisy is often strongest to those who enjoy some measure of outward success. He closes this out by saying that nothing is hidden that will not be revealed at some future time, for God knows all things.

He then answers a question they may have had; this may cost us our life. “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.” Luke 12:4. He did not deny this could happen but explained how, for Christians, this was inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.  Our bodies may die, but we will live forever. Therefore, we have no reason to be afraid of persecution because of our faith.  The believer’s real life is an eternal one to be spent in God’s presence, and no outside power can affect this. And He went on to say, “But I will warn you whom to fear; fear the One who after He has killed has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” Luke 12:5. This verse does not refer to a hopeless terror but to a kind of reverential awe that leads to obedience. He is not saying we are to be afraid of God, but to see God in awe and reverence which is due Him.  Then He gives them an example of what He means.  “Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? And yet not one of them is forgotten before God.” Luke 12:6. These birds were considered good, cheap food that were sought after by the poor, who could not afford anything else.  In God’s providential rule of creation, not even something as inconsequential as the fall of a sparrow occurs apart from his omniscience and will.  

And now we come to our focus verse. “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7. This is written in a legal sense.  Since God values the sparrows to the point that they are never forgotten, then we should not be afraid since we are considered far more valuable than many sparrows and thus will not be forgotten. 

In closing, God knows everything about us; past, present, and future.  And in the above example, He even knows the number of hairs on our heads.  That is particularly amazing with me because I lose hairs on a regular basis.  But this shows the importance He places on us because of His amazing love.  Yes, we may suffer because of our belief in Christ, or even die due to our faith.  But we must always remember what Jesus said as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10. So, let us not fear what man can do to us, for in remaining strong in our faith during the most difficult times, we will be blessed by going home to God’s kingdom.  Nothing to be afraid of here.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.