“Consider the birds, for they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the crop];
They have no storehouse nor barn,
Yet, God feeds them.
How much more valuable are you than the birds!
Luke 12:24
Growing up, I would often hear my dad say something like, “What kind of bird-brain came up with that idea?!” He would also mutter that term about himself when he couldn’t figure something out. Birds have very tiny brains that share the space with the other tiny organs of their tiny bodies.
I thought of those terms as I contemplated the Words of Jesus as He was speaking to His followers. They were men who carried family responsibilities of providing for their families’ practical needs. . . typically not only their own nuclear family, but for their aging parents as well.
Daily life at that time was much more challenging as far as practical needs. No Kwik-Trip, or conveniences like refrigerators or freezers. To “run” to the market was probably literal…on foot. . . and not all in one shop. It took time, effort, energy, and physical work to feed a family. Nor did they have any paychecks to send home, where often three generations shared the space.
The disciples had those kinds of personal responsibilities as the heads of their household. Jesus had asked each of them to “follow Him” . . . So they had left their families quite often and for stretches of time, knowing that their families were dealing with all of those daily needs, but without the presence of their father and husband. It had to be stressful. Not only for their own personal needs, but also for the needs of their families.
But they had chosen to follow Jesus . . . period.
Jesus knew well the responsibilities each of His team carried before He had called them to follow Him. He knew what realities and stress they faced in choosing to follow Him. There is no condemnation nor frustration expressed . . . only a caring reminder of their great value to God. If God sees and cares for those tiny little birds that flit through their tiny, short lives on earth, how much greater is God’s moment-by-moment awareness and care for us. . . the humans for whom He had come to save, and share Eternity.
And what a sweet reminder we have of His Love and Compassion . . . and Provision for us as we daily choose to follow Him.
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