The Marketplace of Sparrows: Finding Hope in God's Love

Understanding the Journey from Hell to Grace

October 19, 2025

Luke 12:1-12

Last week, we explored a challenging topic. Today, we shift our focus to something uplifting. We are moving up and out of despair.

To recap, we ended last week with a powerful message. The Bible clearly outlines the consequences of sin. However, it also provides a way out. Grace and mercy flow abundantly from the cross. Our journey through the early verses of Luke 12 has illuminated the gift of God’s love. You may ask, “If hell is real, what is the way out?” Jesus makes this path clear. John reinforces this in 1 John 4:4:

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

What a wonderful affirmation! The good news is that the bad news is old news. Amen?

The Reality of Hypocrisy

Jesus uses a familiar term to describe those distant from God: hypocrite. Many religious individuals fall into this category. They focus on appearances, rituals, and customs. They love to showcase their knowledge of these practices. For them, it’s more about their actions than the grace extended to them. They often look down on those who are less religious. Hypocrisy is a serious issue.

As we’ve seen, Jesus provides a clear way out of hypocrisy.

The Fear of God

The first step is to cultivate a sincere fear of God. Proverbs 9:10 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” This healthy fear leads us to a deeper understanding of our relationship with God.

God's Omniscience

The second way Jesus draws us out of hypocrisy is through the affirmation of God’s omniscience. Luke 12:6-7 states:

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

This passage reminds us that God knows everything about us. He is aware of every detail of our lives. Nothing is hidden from Him.

The Value of Sparrows

Consider the sparrow. When we say something is a dime a dozen, we mean it’s cheap and readily available. Sparrows were exactly that. People caught them, cooked them, and consumed them. They were inexpensive, sold five for two pennies. For context, a penny was one-sixteenth of a day’s wage. According to Matthew’s gospel, sparrows were even cheaper—two for a penny. However, for two pennies, you got an extra sparrow. Sparrows were not valued. People cared little for their lives.

Yet, God cares for them. He knows and remembers each one. As Jesus says in Matthew 10:29:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.”

God loves and is aware of every detail concerning these small creatures.

God's Care for Us

If God does not forget the sparrows sold in the market, He certainly will not overlook what happens to His loyal disciples. Amen? This thought takes us back to earlier chapters where Jesus says our names are inscribed in heaven. Because you are not forgotten by God, He provides a way through every hardship or challenge you face. You are never alone. The message here is not that God will always rescue you from danger. Instead, Jesus assures us that we have nothing to fear. We draw courage from the One who cares for every sparrow.

Even when life feels overwhelming, remember: all is well.

Trusting in God's Knowledge

Do you hear what Jesus is saying? You can place your hope and trust in God because He knows everything. So, be of good cheer. That’s what Jesus encourages us to do in Matthew 9 and 14. “Be of good cheer.” In different situations, the message remains the same. When trouble arises, God will protect you. When judgment comes, God will protect you as well. Consider these verses:

• 1 Samuel 14:45 - Then the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.”

• Acts 27:34 – “Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”

  
  

What do these verses convey? Beyond your current experiences, when judgment arrives, Jesus will protect you. God knows every detail of your life. So, do not fear judgment. Why? Because God, who knows everything about you, sent Jesus to die for you. Therefore, remember this:

DON’T FEAR…BECAUSE GOD HAS YOUR NAME WRITTEN DOWN IN HIS BOOK.

This affirmation is crucial. There’s no need for overthinking. Why should you have no fear? Because you are precious in God’s sight. If God values every sparrow, consider how much more He values you.

The Love of Jesus

Do you remember the song from your childhood?

Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world

Red and yellow, black and white

They are precious in His sight

Jesus loves the little children of the world

This simple truth is profound.

GOD IS ONLY KNOWN THROUGH CHRIST AND GOD IS ONLY HONORED WHEN CHRIST IS HONORED.

This leads us to the next section of Luke 12:

“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

• Luke 12:8-12

  
  

Understanding Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

The last point we will explore is often misunderstood yet crucial. What does Jesus mean by the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven?

First, let’s clarify who can be forgiven and how. The answer is simple: anyone can be forgiven. No sin is too great for forgiveness:

• Mark 3:28 - “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter.”

• Matthew 12:31 – “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people.”

• Luke 5:32 – “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

The Apostle Paul adds:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.”

• Ephesians 1:3-10

  
  

To understand what Jesus means by an unforgivable sin, we need to explore the concept of “hyperbole.” This term comes from a Greek word meaning “to throw something in excess.” Hyperbole refers to exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally. We use it frequently in everyday language. For example, “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.” The Bible also contains hyperbole. Jesus used it when He said, “You are not fit to follow me unless you hate your father and your mother…and your own life.” That’s hyperbole.

To claim a specific sin is unforgivable emphasizes the seriousness of rejecting Jesus Christ’s Lordship. I hope this explanation resonates with you.

The Importance of Acknowledging Christ

Jesus is clear and direct. It is blasphemy to deny Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you believe you can reach heaven without faith in Jesus and His saving work on the cross, you are mistaken. Ultimately:

IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO GIVES US UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORD OF GOD. AND IT IS THE WORD OF GOD WHICH REVEALS THE SON TO US. AND IT IS THE PREACHING AND IT IS THE HEARING AND IT IS THE READING OF THE WORD OF GOD WHICH DRAWS US TO JESUS CHRIST.

This is why we hold greater value than sparrows. Because of Jesus. Conversely, rejecting Him is the only way to miss heaven.

Let us join our voices in this simple prayer of supplication:

HEAVENLY FATHER, LEAD EVERY HEART TO THE TRUTH OF JESUS CHRIST. LEAD EVERY HEART TO THE DESIRE OF SELF-DENIAL. LEAD EVERY HEART TO THE CONFESSION OF JESUS AS LORD. WE PRAY IN HIS HOLY AND RISEN NAME. AMEN.