07152020 – Matthew 13. 1-9 ff The Sower
A colleague started their sermon on this text by saying:
“We are in the post-truth world listening to the manufactured lies, reading the systematic propaganda of fake news, and proclaiming the same with the help of high-profiled people in society to achieve their own specific purpose.”
“In this context, Jesus gives us the parable of the Sower…they said.”
WOW!
A sermon? REALLY? And this is the appropriate time and place to share our own-private-personal-political-views?
A little bit cynical, are we?
An axe to grind, perhaps…
A little mixing of present-day politics and the gospel…all for good measure?
I wonder why “the need” to share those things sermonically?
My take on that – is that I do not believe we live in a “post-truth world.” I believe “the truth” is still valued and held in high-regard and is still much sought after.
But I am aware that even in Jesus’ day and time “WHAT IS TRUTH” was being questioned.
I think lies have always been manufactured, especially by those uncomfortable with the truth.
I think further that “systematic propaganda” was at one time, only a biproduct of war times…and that NOW, that is NO LONGER the case.
TODAY, it is our INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY to seek out “what IS truth.”
And finally, I think that “HIGH-PROFILE INDIVIDUALS” have always sought to influence society in one way or another.
When it comes to the HOLY SCRIPTURE’S I think none of those things are true, nor do they apply…but again, you be the judge, and you decide, for yourself.
When it comes to the story of the sower and the soils…
Knowing Jesus as I think that I do, I do not believe that he was placing judgment on the various kinds of soil.
For whatever reason, today, we read or hear the parable and we almost automatically make judgments-OURSELVES.
Rocky Soil – BAD. Weeds-BAD. Sewing Seed on a well-tread path- BAD IDEA.
But seed strategically placed on GOOD-RICH-BLACK-SOIL (filled with all kinds of nutrients that foster growth) – GOOD!
I do not think that Jesus’ original audience would have made those same associations…
RATHER, I think they would have questioned the sowing practice…
WHY WOULD ANYONE SOW SEEDS THERE? WHY would anyone WASTE precious seed?
WHO can afford to be so EXTRAVAGANT?
BUT the far bigger concern…would have been HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE a return of 30-60-100%?
HOW is it POSSIBLE to achieve such results?
In the first century of the common area a 10-20% return was seen as being acceptable.
BUT NOT IN THE PARABLE, as told by JESUS.
The SOWER wastes seed, throwing it EVERYWHERE haphazardly.
But it is the “oriental exaggeration” as told by JESUS that truly makes the story-NOTEWORTHY…and stand-out.
This SOWER could throw seed ANYWHERE and he could get UNBELIEVEABLE RESULTS.
Just WHO is this SOWER?
WHO gets results like that?
That is when we must remember our context. This is a parable about the Kingdom of HEAVEN.
ONLY GOD can get these kind of results…ONLY GOD could cast seed in a tar-pit and expect a positive result.
WITH GOD – all things – are possible. OUR GOD…can achieve anything.
And it is HIS KINGDOM that is at hand.
HE DESIRES you to be a part of his movement.
HE DESIRES you to be touched and for our GOD to make a difference in YOUR LIFE.
LIVE EACH DAY-like there is nothing that you and GOD cannot MAKE HAPPEN. Walk with GOD. TRUST in GOD. BELIEVE in GOD.
And he will make miracles and blessings happen in your daily life – that are beyond your imagination.
This is not FAKE NEWS…these are not manufactured lies, this is not systematic propaganda or brainwashing, and I am hardly a high-profile individual…I desire that you think for yourself. I desire that you experience God, firsthand. I desire that you see for yourself.
Just know this…the Kingdom of Heaven has come near to YOU.
You decide what to do next.
Amen.