You are worth more than half-a-penny!
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Mathew 10:31
Two for one… bargain… sales… discount… savers …. Black Friday! As I was reflecting on the words of Jesus, ‘Achikota Ekwe Onu’ kept resounding in my spirit. You may have figured this is neither Hebrew nor Greek rather an Igbo term for bric–a–brac – a collection of valued miscellaneous items.
It is pronounced ‘archie-co-ta –equi – onu’ and sounds like a tongue-twister, but really isn’t. It may pass for a ‘tongue’ however I don’t recommend you use it to revamp your prayer language 
One of the things I love about God is the identity he has given each of his children. We are a group and kin of believers yet each joint supplies – everyone has a mandate, role, and part to play. This is nicely portrayed in the story of the Exodus. Israel was the people – the nation – the apple of God’s eye and there was Moses – the prophet, spokesman, leader and deliverer. The Israelites were exiles in Egypt, yet God gave them light in Goshen. God is pro individualism and collectivism.
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you! Deuteronomy 7:6, 1 Corinthians 12:20-21
If it seems you are always overlooked, ignored, and undermined, you are unique and valuable! Your situation or surrounding may not echo this truth and that’s why God is telling you through this journal. If God could zoom in and handpick Gideon who was the least in a family of the weakest clan in Manasseh, then he can locate you. As a matter of fact, he has and your star will soon appear for the visibility of many!
They asked, “Where is the one who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star rising and have come to worship him. “Then the people who have God’s approval will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Let the person who has ears listen! Matthew 2:2; 13:43
In the chattering of multitudes, Jesus heard Bartimaeus. In the midst of many, Jesus singled Zacchaeus out for a private meal. Jesus was ministering to many until one woman captured his attention by her faith. Once again, Jesus put his public ministry on-hold to speak to her.
The cost of an item is usually an indication of its intrinsic worth. God so loves us he gave us his best. I am so glad he didn’t create an auction listing or set –up a back street car boot sales. Chances are, someone else incapable of persevering like him may have won the bid or paid a cheaper price which wouldn’t have brought us this far. If 2 sparrows are only worth a penny and yet God looks out for that which is valued at half-a penny- how much more you?
Has God forgotten to be gracious, or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? Selah. Psalm 77:9
No, he’s good and his mercy endures through all generations. You are worth much more than the sparrows and this is evidenced in the price for your ransom. Jesus further illustrating the value of man and his special love did this:
9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. Matthew 12:9-13
Here, Jesus makes a comparison between man and sheep. Sheep was a commercial commodity in bible times so this resonated with the Pharisees and temple worshippers. A man’s wealth was measured by the amount of livestock, silver and gold he owned.
What Jesus does here is profound because he emphasizes on the order and priority of creation. It is man over animal and not the other way round! Right from the days of Adam, man has always taken precedence and will continue to. Most times people treat fellow humans far lesser than they would a Gucci, a Ferrari or house. You are worth more!
After Jesus established that fact, he restores order to the man’s life. See, this man had a disability that which placed him in a different category to the crowd. He was below the measuring line. If there was a contest, he couldn’t participate and even if he dared, the outcome was almost certain. He was weak and dry- lacking adequate nourishment and strength to progress and excel. Ever felt like that? Not measuring up spiritually, financially, socially, academically, professionally, physically, mentally…etc.
I heard a word: Stretch forth your hand! These were same words Jesus spoke to the man bringing alignment to that which was imperfectly and badly positioned. Your change has come! God is reordering some things in your life – he will normalize and balance it all out for you!
God loves you so much and is concerned about you much more than he is about anything else. You are worth more than half-a-penny!