July 16, 2017 6th Sunday After Pentecost Mt. 13:1-9. 18-23 COJLBC The Seed and the Soils by Mark Jarvinen 13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear. 18 Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). Martha and I need no convincing that people are different from one another. One of our favorite things to do on a summer evening is to go to the Lake Harriet Bandshell and listen to music. A couple of weeks ago we heard the Minnesota Orchestra. But just as enjoyable as the music is the people watching all kinds of people, all with a story. 1
Jesus also knew that people are different. Today's text is a parable, highlighting how different people are in the way they hear the Word of God. Picture Jesus sitting in a boat moored not far from shore, and a multitude of hearers standing along the beach listening with rapt attention to his words. He uses the imagery of a farmer sowing seed to convey his point. The description of the sower is characteristically Palestinian. The wheat or barley seeds were sown by hand. The patches of land used for farming were not extensive and seldom were they fenced. Alongside these patches of land were paths, which separated one patch of land from another. Scattering the seed by hand, of course, implies that the sower couldn't control where every seed would fall. Some fell in places where it was sure not to grow, such as on the path. Other seeds fell on what appeared to be good soil, but just beneath its surface was a layer of rock, or the roots of thorny vines, that had escaped the farmer's plow. Signs of growth would be short lived in these undesirable soils. Ah, but the seeds that fell on the fertile soil would produce a yield ranging from 30 to 100 fold. The details of this illustration were certainly understandable to Jesus' hearers, but what did they really mean in terms of the Kingdom? Sensing the frustration of his audience, Jesus sought to explain the meaning of the parable to the disciples. 1) The seed that falls on the path This is the person in whom the devil snatches the seed as fast as it is sown in a person's heart, before any roots are set down. The birds of the air represent Satan and all of his different 2
methods of snatching away the Word from the heart of the hearer. He causes doubt in a person's mind about the integrity or authenticity of the Word. Just like he came to Eve in the Garden saying "Did God really say you should not eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge?" He does the same thing today. In Matthew 4, the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus used Scripture to ward off Satan's attacks. "It is written,..." was Jesus' standard reply in driving away Satan. People today might disparage the Word, saying "Who can believe these preachers today anyway? They're just making the Bible say what they want it to say." People can say what they want, but mark well the words of evangelist, Billy Graham, who once said, "There will be no spiritual life and vitality where the Word is not reverenced as the eternal truth of God, inspired, infallible, inerrant, and authoritative. 2) The seed that falls on rocky soil - Another type of person initially receives the Word with joy, but since he has no root in himself, when tribulation or persecution comes, he quickly falls away. Notice that the problem is not with the seed, but with the soil, or the heart condition of the person. For the person whose heart is receptive to the word, the scorching sun of tribulation only causes the roots of his spiritual life to dig even deeper into God. One thing church history has taught is that when the true church is persecuted for the faith, the church becomes more vital than ever. Revival often breaks out in the face of tribulation. Conversely, spiritual lethargy and false security often set in when the external pressure is off. I ll never forget a conversation I had with a missionary (not from our denomination) in 3
the mid 1990 s, who had been doing youth work in Romania since the earlier fall of Communism there in 1989. He had been noticing that the youth were losing a sense of discipline and dedication to Christ in the five years since Romania had thrown off Communist rule. Could this have been an example of rocky soil? From Scripture, consider the story of Job. Satan asked God for permission to test Job, saying "the only reason Job walks with you, God, is that he has it so good." So God gives in and allows Satan to take away Job's family, possessions, and health. Although he came close on several occasions, Job refused to curse God. He remained firm in his conviction "that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord." The soil of his heart was not rocky. His roots went down deep into God's love and faithfulness to him. 3) The seed that falls among thorns - Jesus uses the imagery of thorny soil to depict those caught in the strangle hold of worry and the deceitfulness of riches. It's an interesting fact to me that the average American lives approximately 10% above his or her means, irrespective of income. It's a principle of human nature that the more one has, the more one wants (and often feels entitled to). Furthermore, studies have consistently shown that people of small means are proportionately more generous than people of great means, giving at higher percentages to charitable causes. Dr. Kenneth Bailey, in commenting on this section of Scripture, suggests that this soil is all too common in today s churches. 4
Temporal issues so often sidetrack us from what is eternal. We forget what Solomon set forth as truth in Ecclesiastes, the fact that "God has set eternity in the hearts of men." (3:11). Only when we center our lives around Christ and eternal priorities will we experience the inner peace and satisfaction which God intended for us to know as His people. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon lists 10 areas of human pursuit, which all come up empty if pursued apart from God. These pursuits include work, possessions, status, companionship, fame, money, pleasure, sensuality, and long life. Solomon's life is a classic picture of thorny soil. Remember his fast start, asking God for wisdom as he succeeded his father, King David, to the throne of Israel? But by the end, his life was a shambles. 4) Finally, Jesus speaks of the seed that falls on good soil - This is the one who both hears and believes the Word, and as a result bears fruit. His life is a channel of blessing to others. His light shines brightly in a darkened world. Matthew refers to this person as one who understands the Word; Mark, as one who accepts it; and Luke, as one who holds it fast. All three gospel writers have the same thing in mind. Jesus identified his disciples as good soil. Although there was still more to be revealed and received, they had believed the revelation of Christ up to that point with open hearts, and had by faith acknowledged Christ as King. Here's an interesting question that springs forth from this parable. Why do some reject and others accept the Gospel? 5
First, we mustn't forget that the Word (or the seed in the parable) has the same power and vitality regardless in whose heart it is sown. Also, notice how liberally the seed of God s Word is sown. It is spread widely and indiscriminately, consistent with the character of God s grace and love for people. In fact, our Old Testament lesson for today says that the Word shall not return void without accomplishing God's intended purpose in sending it. Yet, how do we account for the different results as the Word is sown in human hearts? The answer lies in the fact that although the Word does the work of creating faith in people's hearts, people do have the freedom to reject the gospel. For example, the majority of Jews in Jesus day had refused to believe that He was the Christ. Their hearts were hardened. Jesus spoke to them now in parables but they couldn t understand. In this parable of the soils, we should not focus on an arbitrary predeterminism on the part of God as to who will believe and who won t. The emphasis is not on predestination, but on one s receptivity to the Word of Jesus and the preaching of His Kingdom. Hearts were hardened as they refused to believe. Although God foreknew that many would not believe, nonetheless, His will and His heart was that the Kingdom be proclaimed to all people everywhere, and that all would have an opportunity to come to faith. Jesus once said that no one could come to him (believe) unless the Father draws him (John 6:44). That's true. No one, on his or her own power 6
or volition, can simply choose to believe. Our old nature simply won't allow that. By nature, humans are in rebellion against God. Because we are born in sin, we're hostile toward Him. We love darkness rather than light. However, as the gospel is proclaimed, the Holy Spirit softens hearts and faith is then created in those who don t resist the call of the gospel. The rub is that people are free to reject the message. Some will allow the cares of this life to choke out the word. People can refuse to see God at work in their lives when the hard times come. They can succumb to Satan's lies instead of God's truth. Jesus shared his parable, knowing that many wouldn t understand. But Jesus interpreted his parable for his disciples to teach them not to be surprised by people s varying responses to the Kingdom message. The implication is that the Kingdom message must continue to be proclaimed since there would be those who would respond, if not widely among the Jews, then among those who had ears to hear. There were still those to be reached, whose hearts were the good soil. Pastor Dan Cole tells about a young ministerial candidate who had applied to a seminary. He had received a glowing report from his home church, his pastor, and the district president. However, in processing his application, an admissions officer noticed that they had not received this candidate s college transcript. After several written requests to the young man's university, the officer called the school to clear up this problem. It was then they discovered the startling truth. There was no record of this man ever attending the university. The young man was called before the admissions 7
officer to explain and he sheepishly admitted that he had taken his parent's money to attend the university, but had only audited the classes. He was simply an observer for his entire college career. He wanted an identity without the credentials. Pastor Cole says that after hearing this story, he picked up the membership directory of his congregation and puzzled over the names he thought he knew so well. He wondered if any of his members were trying to "audit" the faith, wanting to be identified with the Christian community without the necessary prerequisite of faith demonstrating itself through works of love (Sermon Central). CONCLUSION We know that the gospel is for everyone, and that it is good seed, liberally sown by a gracious sower. In fact, Romans 1:16 calls the gospel, the power of God unto salvation to all who believe,. Yet, there is a question worth asking this morning - What kind of soil are you? The good news is that although we have no power to change ourselves, God s Word is able to change lives, regardless of one s soil type in the past. God, through the work of the Holy Spirit, can make out of people s lives good soil for His Word. He does this by calling people to repentance and faith, i.e. a change of mind that leads to a change of heart, and a confident trust that Jesus is our Savior and King. How does this happen? Romans 10:17 says, 8
faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Sadly, what this has come to mean in so many evangelical churches today is some variation on the theme things go better with Christ. In a nutshell believe in Jesus and watch the problems in your lives melt away so you can live your best life now become a better parent, have a better marriage, get a better job, etc., in short, believe in Jesus and become the best possible version of yourself. But didn t Jesus say, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me? (Matt. 16:24). If we would be right with God, we don t need to improve ourselves. We need a complete restart. Jesus didn t come to reform us but to remake us. He didn t come to improve us, but to call us to die to ourselves, and by grace through faith receive a new nature and a transformed life, that having died to self-centeredness, begins to bear fruit. Most of us have encountered the Word many times in our lives. Has it taken root, revealing to us that by nature we are dead in our trespasses and sins, but that by faith in Christ we have new life? If your answer is in doubt, know that out of his kindness and love, Jesus is calling you to repentance and faith today. The Lord doesn't judge us by the state of our heart when we first heard the Word of the gospel, but by how we re hearing it in the present. Christ is inviting you to believe the gospel today, as one, who by the work of God s Spirit, is the good soil. A-men. 9
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