Pentecost 5 A: The Sower and the Soil
Dear Partner in Preaching,
I have to confess I’ve always had a certain bias against this parable. Actually, not the parable as much as the interpretation. You probably know the generally accepted theory of the history of composition behind today’s passage. Since Joachim Jeremias published his seminal The Parables of Jesus
The parable is all about the extravagance of the sower, the farmer foolish enough to throw seed anywhere and everywhere, even on paths and patches of stony ground. The explanation, however, shifts attention to the soil, offering an allegory between different kinds of soil and different hearers. Sermons have often followed the explanation, inviting us, in the words of the catchy hymn, to let our hearts be good soil. And that’s what I’ve become biased against: moralistic sermons imploring us to be better Christians based on what is considered an addition by Matthew (and before him, Mark) to Jesus’ original parable to encourage disciples struggling in the faith.
Lately, however, I’ve been paying more attention to the narrative context of the parable – always a good thing to do! – and have realized two things. First, Matthew is at a point in his story where he needs to explain why not all are following Jesus. Since delivering the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus announced God’s coming kingdom and described the characteristics of true discipleship, Jesus has been preaching and teaching and healing and doing all kinds of other things that demonstrate the coming kingdom and invite people into discipleship faith. Yet while the crowds swarm after him, bringing their hurts and hopes alike, not all follow. Indeed, increasingly Jesus meets resistance, especially among the religious leaders of the day, and he is even accused of drawing his power from the prince of demons.
And then comes a parable that describes something quite similar – seed of the kingdom being spread lavishly but not all taking root. Why? Because not who receive the seed are the same. Some have a hard time understanding the kingdom logic Jesus has proclaimed, and it’s as if before the seed even has time to take root it’s been snatched away. Some believe easily at first but then find the life of a disciple too difficult and give up when any challenges confront them. Some want to believe but are too weighed down by “worldly” cares to follow. Only a few, it turns out, understand enough, believe enough, sacrifice enough, and persevere enough to stay the course and yield fruit. And there you have it – a fair explanation of why, even at this point in the story, there are so few true disciples.
But you know what – and this is the second thing I realized – verses eighteen to twenty-three not only explain the parable but also shed light on life in the church today as well. I mean, here’s the thing: most of us have gotten used to diminished gatherings on Sunday morning. Moreover, we know that, while a generation ago people who described themselves as “regular attenders” meant they made it to church at least three out of four Sundays a month, when people use that term today they’re talking about coming to church once every four or five weeks. We’re used to that. We don’t like it, even bemoan it from time to time, but we’re used to it.
But did it ever occur to us that now as then, there are lots of things that get in the way of being a disciple. Whether it’s multiple commitments, or kids’ sporting events on the weekend, or no sense of Sabbath in our culture, or that more and more people have to work on Sunday, or the great distances among family members that mean more weekend travel, or any number of other things, there are tons of things that pull our people away from church.
And so I’ve wondered, maybe the point of Jesus’ parable and explanation wasn’t so much to exhort people to be good soil but to remind them that even when things look grim and few seem to follow, still the ridiculously foolish sower keeps tossing seed out anywhere and everywhere and some of it will stick, take root, grown, and eventually yield a harvest one hundred times the initial investment.
So here’s what I’m wondering about, Dear Partner, might we use this week’s gospel reading to recognize that our people are pulled in all kinds of directions and sometimes have good reason for not being in church? Might we acknowledge that we, like those who followed Jesus centuries ago, at times have difficulty understanding, or following, or sacrificing, as we know we should?
Trust me, I don’t want to do this in an effort to judge our folks, let alone shame them into admitting that they are good-for-nothing rocky soil. Rather, I want us to admit that life is busy and complex and that most of us come to Sunday a little bit ragged at the edges. Yet still we gather, because we have Jesus’ promise not to give up on any of us, but to keep throwing the seed of the kingdom and word of God on all of us alike. And when we can’t make it – when work or family or other commitments keep us from worship – perhaps we can know and trust that those who are there are praying for us, holding us in their thoughts and prayers that we might flourish wherever we are.
If this possibility makes you nervous, I’m with you. After all, we may fear that this sounds like we’re giving up, throwing in the towel, blessing the more frequent absences of our people. But I don’t see it that way. Rather, I think this parable really is all about the sower, the one who refuses to give up, the one who will not discriminate between rocky and shallow and good soil but throws the word generously on all. But I also think it’s also about us, different kinds of people with different obligations, challenges, and commitments, and no amount of scolding folks or making them feel bad for missing worship is going to help. But telling them that Jesus is still sowing, still seeking, still eager for them – for all of us! – to know of his profound love…that might just make a difference.
So thank you, Dear Partner, for your part in continuing to sow the abundant seed of God through our faithful proclamation. Your words, too, will fall on all kinds of soil and not always bear fruit, but some will take root, yielding thirty, sixty, even a hundred fold return that delights the Lord of the harvest. Thank you. Even more, thank God for you.
Yours in Christ,
David
Post image: Pieter Bruegel the Elder, “Landscape with the Parable of the Sower,” 1557.
I have read and pondered “Working Preacher” yesterday. But something is amiss. Then moments ago I read your version of the “ridiculously foolish sower” throwing his seed everywhere.
Dear David your explanation gave me so much joy. I can’t wait till Sunday to proclaim the Good News!
As we say in S.Africa: “baie dankie en wel gedaan!” (many thanks, you have done good)
Meld
Yep. that’s the gospel! Thanks.
Thank you for your insight. I agree that ithe sower, God, is central and sows abundantly without checking the quality of soil. I am like all four types of soil at various times in my life and it is great comfort to me to know that when I am not the best quality of soil, God continues to sow his seed in my life. Praise The Lord!
Dear David,
It is truly an honor to be referred to as a “partner” with you. I want to add my appreciation and thank you to the list of those who have already written. Over the past years I have found “Dear Working Preacher” not only to be a tremendous help in my sermon preparation but an important part of my spiritual development. Thank you and thank God for you.
Blessings in your new location.
David, thank you for continuing your weekly preaching conversation here on the blog. You are a blessing to my ministry. Thank you, friend.
Thank you for continuing your service to preachers everywhere. Your encouragement and prayers for Partners in Preaching have regularly been a blessing in the midst of a ‘dry spell’ or a busy time. I truly appreciate your efforts and your support, perhaps far beyond what you may ever realise. Thank your, thank you, thank you!
David,
Blessings on your transition. I have your insights most helpful in my sermon prep. They are also wonderful devotionals. Thank you for your ministry.
Sorry…
That should read “your insights are most helpful in my sermon prep.”
David, I am also remembering the lecture on a “parable universe” from the Festival of Homiletics. I plan to do a blending of the ideas from that talk and your interpretation of this particular parable. BTW, my homiletics professor (way back in the 90’s) taught us to distinguish between the parable and the evangelist’s interpretation too.
So maybe there is one more step in the direction in which you point… maybe their absence from worship with the traditional faith community does not eliminate their call to worship? Since the story is about the generosity (and maybe temerity) of the sower who then are we? Not only hands in the harvesting but “partners” in the sowing? Do I dare tell my folks that the weeks they are away they still might sing? or pray? or tell the story? or witness God’s presence away from the ready soil of the sanctuary to which they have become so accustomed they limit God’s presence to it? Maybe this story of the Sower is a correction to the idea that Christ is waiting for them at the Church? Rather out there too they are expected to see Christ AND tell others what they see? Even among the rocks and thorns and birds? I don’t think they want to hear that. But I think I’m supposed to tell them.
Yes! I certainly agree!
Thank God, thank God, thank GOD you have found another place to enrich us with your commentaries. You have a great gift, and have helped me plow through the field of many a sermon. Bless you for keeping the conduit open and the water flowing!
Thank you for continuing to love, support, and offer your insights to those who strive weekly to bring a fresh word of grace, love, transformation and hope to those we’ve been called to serve. Your insights have always provided me with a fresh lens through which to see and hear the gospel. So good to have found you again. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
So glad to find your words of wisdom again here on your site. But more than anything, you have given to all who preach the gift of encouragement,support, and joy…and that makes all the difference. I don’t think I ever have felt that from anyone post-seminary (and its almost 30 years!) until you started your “dear working preacher” posts. “Dear partner in preaching” is awesome. Thank you.
Thank you for continuing to reflect on the Sunday readings and leaving a forwarding address in cyberspace. I have truly enjoyed your thoughts and connections with matters “ostensibly” separate from or even at odds with the scriptures we preach.
Blessings on your new position and ministry!
Thank you, David, for continuing your ministry to and with preachers. I read your column every week, whether or not I’m preaching on the passage that you write about, because I love the encouraging words. Your insights frequently inform my preaching, and your care for preachers and the task of preaching always nourishes me. I am grateful for your ministry – it reminds me how important our work is.
Blessings on your new ministry in Philadelphia!
Grace and peace….
Thinking about this more and the idea came to me… Sometimes things are a little “rocky” for someone, other times they feel parched. Maybe that is the time for someone else fto reach out and help to clear away the rocks, or offer a cup of cold water, so that the person may bear fruit. Another way to involve the entire community.