His Eye Is on the Sparrow

“God is in control. He has numbered the hairs of our head, and He considers us ‘worth more than many sparrows.’”

God sees everything. According to Jesus, He even sees the sparrow when it falls (Matt. 10:29). Jesus was not merely observing that animals matter, He was making a point about the value of human life and God’s particular concern for those who are His through faith in Him. This statement was part of a larger discourse where Jesus urges His followers not to be afraid of those who might try to take their life because of Him (Matt. 10:16–31). He was reassuring his hearers of God’s love and concern.

This is an argument that reasons from the lesser to the greater. If God takes note of something as small as a sparrow, then we can be sure He is aware of the minute details of our lives. But God does more than take note of these things and care about them. Jesus’ words make it clear that God is in control. He has numbered the hairs of our head, and He considers us “worth more than many sparrows” (v. 31). God is the author and sustainer of all life. As Job observed, “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:10).

Humans are not merely animals of a higher order. Humanity is set apart from all other creatures—we have been created “in the image of God” to act as His representatives by exercising dominion over His creation (Gen. 1:27–28). This divine calling obliges us to share God’s concern for what He has made. Proverbs 12:10 observes that those who are righteous “care for the needs of their animals.” However, this unique vocation prioritizes human life over all other forms of life (Gen. 9:6; Lev. 24:17, 21).

Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden “to work it and take care of it” (Gen. 2:15). This task was both functional and protective. To “work” the ground implies that those who work derive some benefit from their effort, “in the hope of sharing in the harvest” (1 Cor. 9:10). The phrase “take care of it” points to the reciprocal relationship between humans and the creation that sustains them. We are users of creation and also its stewards. It all speaks of God’s care. God’s eye is indeed on the sparrow. Because of this, I know He cares for me.

For Further Study

To learn more, read The Doctrine of Humanity by Charles Sherlock (InterVarsity).