OUR LESSON for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
comes to us from the Gospel According to Saint Matthew. With Jesus using the
form of a parable for the first time in this reading of Matthew, our text becomes instructional in tone. The teaching was meant specifically for the
Church… those who were being called and trained to proclaim the good news. Below, please
find our text as read from Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. But also note that we shall
include with study of nested text occurring
in Matthew 13:10-17 (shown in italics)…
That
same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds
gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat there; and the whole
crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A
sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the
birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had
not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,
but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered
away. Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some
sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:1-9)
Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says:
‘You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn for me to heal them.’
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.’ (Matthew 13:10-17)
“Hear
then the parable of the sower. When any one hears the word of the kingdom and
does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in
his heart; this is what was sown along the path.
As for what was sown on rocky
ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet
he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or
persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for
what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the
world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
As
for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands
it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another
sixty, and in another thirty.” (Matthew 13:18-23)
Story
Time!
Many biblical scholars agree that during the eighth decade of the first century, the
churches of Matthew and Luke included this lesson in their gospel writings. However, this teaching was first
recorded in the earlier written Gospel of Mark. The early church of Matthew
thus echoed that Jesus gathered all those who would listen and addressed them beside the Sea of
Galilee. In the telling, we hear that our Lord left the house and stood in a boat anchored a short distance
out on the calm water. From there, where he could be more easily and widely heard, he taught the people using a developed story form.
As we picture in our minds that scene as we read this witness, we note that symbolically our Lord went into a ship on the sea and taught. He entered into a watery, baptismal sense... to step away from the house restrictions of Israel and symbolically was rowing toward engaging the Gentile nations.
By using this symbolism, the original author taught the Church in subtlety not to covet stately established circumstance. Instead the congregations were to make gospel proclamations in settings that God provides.
We note here that also Jesus used a rabbinical teaching method likened to that used elsewhere in the ancient Greek fables. This method, called a “parable” by the disciples, means to “throw alongside”. Thus parables are believed to be a teaching method used to provoke interpretive participation from the listener, so that the hearer gathered hidden spiritual messages.
As we picture in our minds that scene as we read this witness, we note that symbolically our Lord went into a ship on the sea and taught. He entered into a watery, baptismal sense... to step away from the house restrictions of Israel and symbolically was rowing toward engaging the Gentile nations.
By using this symbolism, the original author taught the Church in subtlety not to covet stately established circumstance. Instead the congregations were to make gospel proclamations in settings that God provides.
We note here that also Jesus used a rabbinical teaching method likened to that used elsewhere in the ancient Greek fables. This method, called a “parable” by the disciples, means to “throw alongside”. Thus parables are believed to be a teaching method used to provoke interpretive participation from the listener, so that the hearer gathered hidden spiritual messages.
All three
gospels told the story faithfully. In parable, Jesus told about a sower casting seed upon
the earth. As we read, we can quickly note the extravagance of the sower. A
modern farmer he was not! There was no clearing, plowing, raking and carefully
measured planting, in order to preserve and maximize profit. Also, in comparison and
contrast, we note that Jesus talked about sowing the seed in a field, which we
can safely guess symbolized the world. This was over against laboring in that
vineyard which was restricted to Israel (see Isa. 5:1-7).
Thus the parable began with telling a story in a setting that went far beyond the scope of many Jewish listeners in ancient Antioch of Syria… or for that matter... any who were gathered in the synagogues dispersed through other Gentile nations. We hear and know that the difference between success and failure was not in the planting method, but found in the stubborn sinfulness of the soil which received the planting.
We note rather gleefully that historically, in the time of the relative peace maintained in the harsh Roman Empire rule, the earth’s social strata already resembled that of the wide sower’s field. Consequently, Jesus prophetically portrayed his extravagant and ambitious time in God’s planting. It was one which broke the bounds of geography and time, and continues across centuries into the societies of today’s sinful world. I find it astounding that this grace yet comes through Jesus from the Father, who indeed provides us with extravagant abundance.
Thus the parable began with telling a story in a setting that went far beyond the scope of many Jewish listeners in ancient Antioch of Syria… or for that matter... any who were gathered in the synagogues dispersed through other Gentile nations. We hear and know that the difference between success and failure was not in the planting method, but found in the stubborn sinfulness of the soil which received the planting.
We note rather gleefully that historically, in the time of the relative peace maintained in the harsh Roman Empire rule, the earth’s social strata already resembled that of the wide sower’s field. Consequently, Jesus prophetically portrayed his extravagant and ambitious time in God’s planting. It was one which broke the bounds of geography and time, and continues across centuries into the societies of today’s sinful world. I find it astounding that this grace yet comes through Jesus from the Father, who indeed provides us with extravagant abundance.
Amid this
telling, found not in our reading for the day because of its omission from the church lectionary for this Sunday’s reading, we learn that the disciples questioned as
to why Jesus... as rabbi… chose to use the parable form of teaching. They wanted to know the
reason for the hidden meaning. Why the secrecy? they asked.
In reply, Jesus cited a reading from the prophet. (see Isaiah 6:9-10). Thereby our Lord related that the things of God are made plain, easy for those faithful and willing who are to be taught. At the same time the hearing was more difficult and obscure for those who were stubbornly committed to religiously working their own restricted plots.
In reply, Jesus cited a reading from the prophet. (see Isaiah 6:9-10). Thereby our Lord related that the things of God are made plain, easy for those faithful and willing who are to be taught. At the same time the hearing was more difficult and obscure for those who were stubbornly committed to religiously working their own restricted plots.
Today, we sadly note the
subtle difference between the church of Matthew when relating this message, and
the reading as found in other gospels. In Matthew, the realm of the divine is called the
“kingdom of heaven”; whereas, the others used the term “kingdom of God”. We
might then ask ourselves whether the normal traditionalism in rabbinical Law of not naming “God”... held
Matthew to more stringent rhetoric. Therefore, this parable truly represented the state
of the Christian church in Antioch at the time. The story presented Christ's care for the church and the
devil's works against it. Thus by asking and hearing in faith, the early disciples
were blessed with truly knowing the meaning of the parable.
Hearing
Ears?
The scope of this parable was to show the early
Church that through their beginnings the gospel proclamation would be small.... for
various reasons... and sometime evil reasons. Subsequent to that time, in its latter end, the proclamation of grace would blossom and
greatly increase. In this way the work of faith being placed hidden in the
human heart, planted the kingdom of heaven within our soul and would be spoken out and carried
on exponentially. History testifies to this.
We also note that when this good news and insight came
upon the chosen hearers and into their souls, it worked a thorough change in
the society of their time. This is indeed pleasant for us to hear, for we who do this work today in
the sin and problems of today’s world need empowerment. As we heard also from the apostle Paul in Rome, the
Word which is Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit… spreads love into
all human faculties who allow teaching and hearing deeply. It even alters the
members of the body (see Rom. 6:13).
Of this last, I urge that you take particular note of this miracle as Jesus
enters the nave of your church by the power of the Holy Spirit… and comes to
us in Word and Sacrament. In this lesson, and from these parables... we are taught each
Sunday to expect a gradual growth out of what often seems to be quiet and
meager evangelical beginnings. Forgiven and empowered by our Lord then, let us
inquire of our path! Hear what the wise Preacher has said…
“In
the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand; for you do
not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.”
(Ecclesiastes 11:6)
Please take note! For those who would like to explore this text further, and its meaning within our Christian efforts in evangelism, I boldly suggest that you visit my previously written discussion of this text. You may find this reading by clicking on...
May the Holy Spirit guide your learning of this wonderful task, and give you growth even unto a hundredfold. As well, please take some time to watch this video and how all can help proclaim the kingdom...
May The Lord Bless You and Keep You Safe!
No comments:
Post a Comment