Luke 12:1-12

LUKE 12:1-12 (NLT)
Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and crushing each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—beware of their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!
4 "Dear friends, don‘t be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill the body; they cannot do any more to you. 5 But I‘ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill people and then throw them into hell. 6 "What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don‘t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows. 8 "And I assure you of this: If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I, the Son of Man, will openly acknowledge that person in the presence of God‘s angels. 9 But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before God‘s angels. 10 Yet those who speak against the Son of Man may be forgiven, but anyone who speaks blasphemies against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. 11 "And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don‘t worry about what to say in your defense, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you what needs to be said even as you are standing there."Monday Morning Quarterback
The NFL (National Football League) started this week. Millions of Americans were glued to the screen all day yesterday cheering on their favorite team. I am sure you or someone you know watched some football yesterday-even if you really don‘t like the game. And today, there are millions of fans playing Monday morning quarterback and predicting from one game what teams and players are valuable and what one‘s are not.
Value in the NFL is based solely upon performance. How many touchdowns, tackles, and wins define the value of a player or a coach. I am so glad that the God that Jesus talks about in our scripture this morning does not assess my worth based on my football skills. (I played 8th grade and 9th grade football and I was very puny and weak. So, I joined the cross country team realizing that the worst injury for a runner is a sprained ankle. I am such a wimp).
Also, I am glad he does not base my value on my GPA (grade point average) in school, my salary, or even my devotion to him. The reality is God does not measure our worth or value with a number, equation or ratio. We are valuable because we are his most prized creation-his children.
Today, as you begin your Monday morning, there is a Monday morning quarterback assessing your value and he is saying: "You are more valuable to me than anything I have ever created." So, throughout your day shed your inferiorities, guilt and worry and tell yourself: I am valuable because I am a son or daughter of the Most High God.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for reminding me through your words that I am more valuable than anything in creation. Help me to live today knowing I am your beloved child and that you have great plans and purposes for my life. In your name. Amen.