Fifth Sparrows

Matthew 10 has echoed through my mind in the past two weeks. Jesus was sending the disciples on a new mission just as He has sent us on the new mission of ARTreach 180. It was not easy for them; it is not easy for us. Much like them, we are learning as we go. On-the-job training can be quite stressful at times, especially when it involves rambunctious middle schoolers. After the session last night, I kept thinking of Proverbs 19:2: “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge or be hasty and miss the way.” Did we jump into this thing too soon? Did I somehow misunderstand the leading of the Spirit? What are we really accomplishing? Then God led me once again to Matthew 10 this morning where I had a note in the margin from Paul Leslie’s sermon a few weeks ago.

Matthew 10:29 says that two sparrows sold for a penny, but its parallel passage in Luke 12:6 says that five sold for two pennies. Can’t you see the banner above the vendor’s table? BUY 4 GET ONE FREE! In other words, the fifth sparrow had no value in the world’s estimation. So when God led me back to Matthew 10 this morning, His Spirit spoke to mine loudly and clearly: “These kids I have sent you in ARTreach 180 are the fifth sparrows. “

(names changed for privacy purposes)

There’s Kiesha, a beautiful 15-year-old, who boldly proclaims her faith although she is on probation currently and wrote in her journal that having something to do in the afternoon keeps her from thinking about her boyfriend so much. Perhaps a teen pregnancy prevented?

There’s Alonzo, a 16-year-old who is involved with a gang and currently on probation, but is always the first one to ARTreach 180 because he loves to draw and paint, and this provides a safe place for him to be a kid again.
There’s Jessica, a middle school girl who has not been involved with the law herself as of yet, but her brother just got out of jail last week, which makes her six times as likely to become a juvenile offender. ARTreach 180 could be the diversion in her life to beat the odds.

There’s Deontae, a 15-year-old who draws super heroes all the time. According to him, he has lost two brothers to gang violence in the last five years. His mother is desperate for anything to keep him from going down that same path.

These are just a few of the kids from ARTreach 180. There are many more “fifth sparrows” that God has entrusted to us. Someone once told me that people will not remember what you say or what you do, but they will remember how they feel when they are with you. Jesus said it like this, “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42).

We need more volunteers, teachers, mentors, and financial support. Please prayerfully consider how you might help us continue to “give a cup of cold water” to these “fifth sparrows.”