| Matthew 10:29-31 – “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than man sparrows.” |
Life today can feel like an endless search for identity.
Your phone rings and the number appear as “unknown.” Then, a cold, automated message informs you about a car warranty that never existed. There’s no human voice on the other end, just a soulless machine.
Or, when you reach out to customer service, they ask for your customer number, not your name. You become just another digit in their system.
We are reduced to mere numbers, identified by our social security number, driver’s license, or some other numerical code.
But does anyone truly know your name?
Hart Island, a small island off the coast of Long Island, stands in stark contrast.
No one resides there, yet it is inhabited by millions.
This island serves as a colossal cemetery, established as a final resting place for the destitute.
It embraces the homeless, the stillborn, impoverished immigrants, as well as penniless poets and artists.
Their graves remain nameless, forgotten by the world, untouched by visitors.
When the devastating grip of COVID-19 snatched away the lives of countless New Yorkers, and there was no way to handle the overwhelming number of bodies, they were laid to rest in wooden boxes, buried in a mass grave on Hart Island.
It is a desolate and forsaken place. However, amidst the isolation, someone erected a towering white cross in the heart of the island, bearing the words: HE KNOWS US ALL BY NAME.
In a world that often overlooks and disregards individuals, Jesus reminds us that He knows each one of us personally. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29–31, ESV).
If you ever feel the weight of loneliness, always remember that there is someone who knows your name…and He is always there for you.
Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
