Loving God, you are extravagant, and even reckless, in sowing the seeds of your love.  Empower us by your Holy Spirit to share your love as widely as possible, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

            As the gospel of Matthew progresses, we discover that, in spite of the wonderful works that Jesus has been doing – healing many people, and even stilling a storm – there are still people who do not believe that Jesus is who he says he is.  He has been teaching them God’s way, and has sent out his disciples to do the same.  However, he has been meeting with opposition all along the way – especially from the religious leaders.  And so, Jesus tells a parable in response to the question of why some people do not believe in him.

         In the parable, we hear about a gardener (or perhaps a farmer), who is definitely not frugal!  The seeds seem to fly anywhere and everywhere – on the rocks, and on the path, among the thorns – and sometimes on good soil.  In fact, it seems as though the vast majority of the seeds fail to produce any grain (or fruit, if you will).  However, those few seeds that fall on good soil definitely produce an amazing and abundant harvest!

         In today’s gospel, a number of reasons are given as to why the good news of God’s reign fails to take root.  In some cases, there is a lack of understanding, and so that little seed of faith is snatched away by the evil one.  In other cases, the roots don’t go down deep enough to be able to withstand persecution or trouble that comes to those professing faith in Jesus.  In still other cases, worries about life in this world, and possessions, and the pursuit of wealth all become more important than living in God’s way, and choke out the new life in Christ.

         Barriers to faith today are much the same.  When it comes to a lack of understanding, we learn in Matthew 11 that understanding only comes through an act of God (v. 25).  In some cases, people seek to understand everything (all by themselves!) before putting their faith in Jesus.  However, faith needs to come first, which then seeks understanding by the power of the Holy Spirit.

         There are also cases where faith is shallow, and only lasts as long as things are going well.  Some are under the illusion that Jesus will give them wealth and success and all of the good things that this world has to offer.  However, when troubles arise they become disillusioned and leave their faith behind.

         In a similar vein, some have a whole list of things that are more important than growing in the faith and love of Christ.  This list can include things like making money, accumulating possessions, playing and watching sports, hobbies, family, screen time, or whatever it is that takes most of our time and attention.

         Some other barriers to faith today include judgment and hate that have been spewed in the name of Jesus, broken trust by clergy and leaders in the church, and experiences of racism within the church.  There has been a lot of bad press about the church and about Christians – some of it warranted, and some of it skewed.  There have been too many who call themselves Christians and have not lived out the gospel of God’s grace and love.

         However, in spite of all of the things that can be barriers to faith, we are still called to sow the seeds.  We are called to sow the seeds of God’s love outside the doors of this church – in fact, wherever we go – not only by what we say, but by what we do.  Sure – there will be seeds that fail to produce any fruit, or that might even be greeted with hostility.  When we pay attention to the parable of the sower and the life of Jesus, this is to be expected!  So many of those seeds did not produce life-giving faith in the hearers.  Yet, Jesus persisted, and God persists, in making God’s love known to all people.

         Perhaps it is easy to miss the abundance that results from those seeds that landed on good soil.  It is an unimaginable yield, whether a hundredfold or sixty.  In fact, even thirtyfold is a pretty good crop.  This is the abundant life that Jesus brings, and it grows in people’s hearts.  Faith grows in people’s hearts, and when it produces fruit, it is the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23).  These are the signs that the Holy Spirit is at work in us, and in others.

         Let us, then, persist in sowing the seeds of God’s love anywhere, and everywhere.  For, some of those seeds will grow and bear fruit, by the power of the Holy Spirit, who produces faith in the heart, and understanding in the mind, and life in the soul, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Amen.

Lectionary 15(A)                              Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

July 16, 2023

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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