People are Most Valuable

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 NIV

In a story published Wednesday titled “Bear Who Killed Italian Runner Also Attacked Two Others,” it was reported that authorities were finally taking action to prevent another attack. On Wednesday, Italian prosecutors identified the bear that killed Andrea Papi of Caldes, Italy, last week. The 26-year-old runner was out on his usual course in the Alps when the bear, now known as “JJ4,” took his life. Prosecutors in the northern city of Trento found that the DNA samples on Papi matched a female bear identified as "JJ4.” The runner was the only person to be fatally attacked by a bear in this region in the last 20 years. JJ4 had previously attacked two other people. Now, authorities in Northern Italy have asked for the bear to be captured and killed. They first attempted to euthanize the bear in 2020, when it attacked a father and a son near the same area where Papi’s body was found. However, a court overturned the decision. Papi’s funeral will take place on Wednesday.

And you know, although we live in a society that seems to value animals more than humans, the Bible is very clear that the very hairs of our head are numbered by God himself who considers us of greater worth than many sparrows. In fact, the Bible is very clear that “the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” Did you get that part? Jesus died for all people, not for all animals—which means that the welfare of people must always be considered above and beyond the welfare of a bear or any other animal. 

So let us remember that while every believer is called to take care of animals, we are to value the lives of men and women above them. Especially when an animal is deemed dangerous.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You value human life above all other life. In light of that, help us to keep a biblical perspective on the way we view creation so that we honor You by our actions. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!