Just as we heard last week about plowing without looking back, today we find images of sowing and reaping and harvest in the Scripture readings. Hear, then, some parables about the sowing and the reaping:

A congregation went out to sow. As they were planting, they started little contests with one another to see who could sow the most seed. Soon there were groups that had formed, each of which was sure that their brand of seed was the best. Sometimes they would even get angry with one another and start fights, with each person and group being convinced that they were in the right and that their seed would grow the best. When it seemed as if some were succeeding and planting more than the others, jealousy and envy would creep into the picture, for everybody wanted to be known as the best sower. And so they would argue with one another over the best way to sow the seeds and over where the planting should take place.

As they continued to sow, occasionally one group would decide to celebrate the fact that they had sown so much seed in a good place, and they would get drunk and have a wild party and become so obnoxious and annoying that the others would hate them for it. Others simply forgot that they were supposed to be planting at all and started "sowing their wild oats" instead. They didn't care if they were with a marriage partner or not, as long as it felt right at the time. They made other people into objects, and used them for their own sexual pleasure. They totally forgot that they had been called by God to plant and to harvest. Instead, their own selfish needs took over, and they actually became hostile to God instead.

This congregation that went out to sow sowed to their own flesh. When it came time for the harvest, little was to be found except for corruption and decay and death. Indeed, they did reap what they had sowed (Gal. 6:7). Had they sown to the Spirit, the harvest would have been quite different. Perhaps we could re-write this parable in the following way:

A congregation went out to sow. As they planted, they were always there for one another, with each person ready to carry their own weight, but at the same time ready to help in bearing the burdens of others. Although there were always some who worked more quickly than others, those who were way ahead in the planting treated their slower brothers and sisters with patience and kindness. When those who were filled with the Spirit would notice others either planting bad seed or neglecting to plant at all, they would gently guide them back to the task at hand, encouraging them to keep on planting the good seed. Although human nature might easily get people annoyed in this situation, the quarrels didn't happen because each person worked with such humility. Each person knew that the important thing was not how well their planting compared with that of others, but how great the harvest would be for God!

As the season for planting continued, the members were faithful in continuing to sow the seed, guided in all things by the Spirit. However, their commitment to the task at hand did not interfere with their willingness to be servants for one another and to love one another. In fact, there was such joy and peace evident in their hearts that others were always wanting to come and join in with the planting. And since they also had such glad and generous hearts, they welcomed all who wished to join them and to share in the fruits of that same Holy Spirit, for they had indeed learned that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)!

Certainly the members of this congregation were tempted with all of the same sorts of pride and selfishness that the other congregation experienced, yet, because they were sowing to the Spirit instead of to the flesh, self-control and humility prevailed. In fact, when it came time for the harvest, the members of this Spirit-filled congregation realized that they had already been reaping some of its benefits! Already there was peace among them, and righteousness, and thankfulness. Already they were experiencing abundance and life in the Spirit. Yet, when the harvest had been fully reaped, then they shared life in all its fulness, for the harvest for them included resurrection and eternal life!

Now of course, most congregations don't look exactly like either parable, for within each congregation it is quite likely that there are some present who sow to their own flesh and others who sow to the Spirit (cf. Gal. 6:8). Yet, just as it is part of the "growing up" process of each Christian to become more and more Spirit-filled, so it is part of the growth of each congregation to become more and more Spirit-led! It is also part of the growth of each congregation to plant more and more seeds. Hear then another parable, for "the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly" (2 Cor. 9:6).

A congregation went out to sow. As they planted, it soon became apparent that only a few had stayed to really work at the sowing. Some threw out two or three seeds and then went home, believing that they had done their part. Some didn't bother planting any seeds at all, for they weren't properly trained as seed planters and felt that such an important task should be left to those who have more knowledge of how to do it. Others weren't there on the Sunday when the seed planting was announced, and so didn't know that they were supposed to participate. Others had heard the announcement, but assumed that it was meant for other people, and not for them.

When the time came for the harvest, the congregation was disappointed that it was so small. "There should have been more growth than that! What happened?" And most thought that some of the other seed planters hadn't planted enough, or hadn't planted in the right place, or had forgotten to water the seeds that did get planted. And most just blamed a series of outside events that had been beyond their control. And many hoped that maybe there would be a better harvest next time.

Yet, as before, this parable can be told in more than one way, for it is also true that "the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully" (2 Cor. 9:6). Hear, then, this parable:

A congregation went out to sow. As they planted, they scattered the seed everywhere. It didn't matter if it seemed like good soil or not, and it didn't matter if it seemed like the right season for planting or not. They were just planting seeds everywhere they went, and yet never running out. The more seed that they planted, the more that they seemed to have. And because every single person in that congregation was participating in the planting, that seed was scattered far and wide!

When it came time for the harvest, everybody was needed once again, for it was a plentiful harvest! And they celebrated together with glad and generous hearts and gave thanks to God for giving the growth (1 Cor. 3:6). "And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47).

In all of these parables, the seed is the word of God (Lk. 8:11). The seed is the good news about Jesus Christ, who has lived among us, shown us what God is like, and given even his life for us. When this seed takes root, it grows within us until we "grow up into Christ" (Eph. 4:15) - become more and more Christ-like - until the time of the final harvest of resurrection and eternal life. Of course, the seed is planted in many different ways. Sometimes it is through what we say to other people and how we talk about our faith. Sometimes it is through how we act and through the fruit of the Spirit that is evident in our lives. Sometimes it is through the public proclamation of the Word in settings like this. However it is that the Word is shared, every single believer is called to do so.

As we heard in the parables, when everybody participates in planting those seeds, God will, indeed give the growth. However, "sowing to the flesh" will not help in the least, for no growth will occur if our pride and selfish appetites and jealousy and false gods get in the way. Instead, let us be guided by the Spirit, filled with love and joy and peace as we serve and support one another in the Christ-life. For those who sow to the Spirit will reap eternal life (Gal. 6:8). Amen.

Proper 9(C) Galatians 6:1-16 July 4, 2004 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 St. Luke's Zion Lutheran Church Pastor Lynne Hutchison

? 2004 Lynn Hutchison All Rights Reserved