7-12-26                 Matt 13:1-9,18-23

1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on a path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 If you have ears, hear!”
  18 “Hear, then, the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet such a person has no root but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Plant, water, harvest, Lord and lead us to follow, as we trust in God to give the growth.

Today’s gospel is one that is well remembered because it involves a visual story that makes the kind of sense that is easy to follow. Yet, since you have heard it before and know it well, it may not catch your attention. So we will start with a humorous story to get us going!

Two brothers grew up on a farm in rural Georgia. One brother took off for the big city, the other was content to remain on the farm. Years later the farmer was invited to bring his family to visit his brother in the city of Atlanta. So he and his wife and son piled into their old pick up. They had never traveled outside of their rural community. It was quite a trip and after a fearful experience on the interstate highways, they arrived at the high-rise hotel where they would stay. Dad and son went inside to check in. Just inside the entrance were several elevators. The old farmer had never seen one before. He watched as a large, plain, middle aged lady stepped inside one of those little rooms and the door closed. After a short time, the door opened again and out stepped a young lady who was cuter than could be! The farmer’s eyes bugged out. He punched his son’s arm and said, “Boy, go get your Maw. I’m going to run her through that thing.”

Some of you reacted with laughter, or at least a snicker. It’s an entertaining story, surely and improvement on the usual sermon start. But not everyone’s reaction is the same. Some may be disturbed by trying to make jokes in the ‘church’! Some may be upset that we would make fun of unsophisticated farmers. Everyone has their own taste for humor, so this may not be the type you like. A joke is dependent on the hearer. But the one who writes or tells the joke is interested in the reaction of the listener - it is their response that counts. It’s important!

That is why Jesus told parables. He wanted to generate a response in his audience and wanted them to remember the object of the story. As the crowd gathered around on the shore, Jesus got in a boat to teach them, letting his voice amplify across the water. He could then be seen and heard. Those listeners were very familiar with the process of planting that was used in their time. There were no huge planters pulled behind a John Deere tractor, placing down seeds, eight rows at a time. Their farmers had a sack of seed slung on their body, reached in with a hand, and flung out those seeds in a sweeping motion, as far as they could. You know the seeds went here and there, some in the packed earth of the walkway, some among the rocks, some where the weeds were growing and some lucky seeds actually landed in the rich dirt. But Jesus story wasn’t about seeds and soil, it was about the Word of God. Jesus was teaching them about the message of grace that God wants spread to everyone, everywhere.  It is a story of the various ways people react to that Word and what results from it.

Some of the listeners that day were to see themselves  in the role of the farmer - tossing those seeds far and wide. Jesus’ disciples, who had come to see the need and power in Jesus’ message, were being encouraged to go out with confidence and optimism; they could be assured that results would come from their efforts. They were warned they might not be nearby to see the harvest, but they were to be convinced of the outcome, to go ahead with their task in its expectation. 

The crowd along the shore were filled with all sorts of people. Like any gathering of folks, opinions and backgrounds varied. Some were eager to listen and to learn, others skeptical, others curious, others waiting to have proof of concept. 

In this parable of planting there are so many variables to consider. A farmer knows that it is not only the quality of the soil that is a factor, there are weather conditions, outside forces, that will affect the growth. And as the story goes, there are other challenges too. Remember the competition with the birds that swallow up the seed before it even gets a chance to put down roots. It is rather like having only that one opportunity to share and it is obvious once is not enough. Then those rocks too can interfere; it is an indication that some listeners react with great enthusiasm but if the excitement is not maintained, they get bored and fizzle out. 

We are also being reminded that humans react to other influences, not always healthy or helpful ones; we are a fickle group. We may feel we have to be convinced continually that the message is worth our while, that we will have something to gain, that this is a really, good deal. We may not want to invest of our own time and effort, even after we have felt the value and benefits for ourselves. But as you know, there are other offers out there, the competition for your time, your interest, and your attention is great. Some offers look really, sweet!  Weeds are not always seen for what they are. The weeds of society can be a beautiful enticement, offering all kinds of rewards. It is only later that it is discovered how you get strangled and your own growth and goodness gets twisted and warped, as you are overcome.

Yet Jesus ends his story with very good news. The yield of the harvest is worth the wait, for it will be abundant. Jesus gives a promise that is full of hope and assurance. The Word of God will accomplish its purpose. We are given forgiveness and eternal life.

It is because of the promise inherent in the Word that I am before you still today. It is the reason I decided to enter seminary training, in the first place. Even though it meant more years of education. (Actually, for me, most of that was a treat - I like to go to school. It’s just that I was also then working and a mom- most days were long.) There were many aspects to that training because pastors do some of this and some of that. There is teaching, administration, social action, chaplaincy care, and more. What drew me most strongly was the Word of God - its proclamation and teaching. I know it is the source of life in the message we share and in all areas of work that we do. It is also that Word that accuses and convicts me. It will point out any pride, self-congratulation, and failures. So I may resent the criticism it brings. But the Lord is also there to lift me up and keep me going. His assurance of acceptance comes. I know that I will not see much of any harvest, but my role is to sow seeds and produce fruit in my own life. 

It is the same for you; in whatever path you take. You have been told that the reactions to that faith you share will not be identical. Yours is not to judge the recipients, just keep at the sowing. How others respond to your invitation, depends on them. Keep sharing that message of promise and show it in how you live. The harvest will be abundant as God is the production manager.  You can take it on faith!