Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

He Who Has Ears!

             “Read between the lines!” When reading a book or article, sometimes we’re supposed to be able to pick up on more than what the author actually says. An implied fact is something the author mentions indirectly without telling you outright. For sometimes, there’s more meaning to words than what the individual words mean themselves. Right? But the other side of the question is whether the author truly implied something or whether we read more into words than we should. Simply stating a fact doesn’t always mean there’s more to the thought than what is stated. For we have this issue all over the place in Scripture. Are there places where there’s more to be understood than what is written? Absolutely. Are there also places where we ought to be careful about reading too much into things? Also, yes. This is one of those principles of interpreting Scripture that troubles us and leaves us scratching our heads. It leaves Christians disagreeing with one another because some want to read more into passages than what likely even Jesus intended.

            For today, we have one of the few parables that comes with its own interpretation. We don’t have to wonder what Jesus meant by the parable because he spells it out for us right after. Though this has raised many questions about whether Jesus meant more than what he explains or not? For let us boil this down to one main point that we may walk away knowing what this parable is all about. Let us then learn today:

THE SOWER COMES TO CULTIVATE THE WORD IN YOU!

I.

            I might as well just reread what Jesus said and you would know almost everything you need to about this parable. Almost. For as the parable goes, there are the four different kinds of dirt. Jesus explains what each kind is and what it does. The seed on the path, in the rocky soil, among the thorns, and finally in the good soil. This is all plain and clear to us. But the question that plagues us about this parable isn’t the what, but the why? Why does Jesus tell us this parable? For this was the same question which the disciples asked which prompted Jesus to explain it to them. For in those nine verses that are missing in the middle of our Gospel reading, Jesus explains at least some of this. As he says, “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 the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one 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,” Matthew 13:11-13. The reason for this parable is because the people have already been rejecting God’s word. That is, everything Jesus has told them plainly, they still don’t try to understand.

            Thus, the purpose of this parable is then to answer the “Why?” Why don’t more people understand? Why aren’t more people coming to faith through Jesus’ words and miracles? Yes, some don’t believe because Satan has oppressed them to such a point that they have the word snatched away from them. There are others who hear it for a short time, but the troubles of life and the afflictions common to Christians prove too much for them to endure. While others are choked out of faith by making idols out of worldly cares, such as money, popularity, or comfort. For we see that three out of the four types of soil end in the sad reality of unbelief. It’s a reality that we as Christians must come to terms with as well. For no matter how well you share your faith or how often you do it, there will always be those that for one reason or another don’t believe. For even if we are the “good soil”, this is a call to all of us not to wander off into the circumstances or temptations which create the bad soil of faith. Don’t let other sinful people be your excuse for giving up on God.

II.

            But there’s one last thing that we need to address about this parable. If you think that the entire point of the parable is to identify what type of dirt you are, then you’ve missed the most significant part. For this is where we would go astray in this parable, is to read between the lines and say that God found something within us, “good soil” if you will, and that is why we’re saved. Quite the opposite! For what would grow in the soil if it first wasn’t given seeds to grow? As the parable began, “A sower went out to sow,” Matthew 13:3. We don’t believe because we’re good soil. Rather, it was Christ who made us good soil by planting his word in our ears and hearts! It was Christ who removed the rocks and thorns from us by his word. It was Christ who fended off Satan so that Satan couldn’t pluck the word from you! For if we turn our focus away from the soil and look to the one who tends it, then we’ll see the purest gospel! For it’s the super abundant nature of Christ’s sowing that should catch our attention. The sower sows his seed without care or thought for finding the most suitable soil. Rather, he sows his seed far and wide for the chance and opportunity that any soil should prove to grow and yield fruit!

            Thus, we know from the rest of scripture that what the sower sows, he also tends. Upon casting the seed onto the ground, Jesus returns and tends to it. If he planted the seed, he shall also water the seed at the font of baptism. If he watered the seed, then he shall also fertilize the seed with the preaching of his word. And if he fertilizes the seed, so too shall Jesus nurture, strengthen, and protect the seed in the meal he lays before us on his altar. For the seed is none other than Jesus who goes to the cross to die for you and me. He is planted in the tomb for three days, that he may sprout forth the fruit of righteousness and holiness for all who believe! As Paul writes, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ,” Philippians 1:6. Yes, the entire purpose of this parable is to say that Jesus comes to cultivate his word in you and me. Jesus spreads the seed of his word far and wide so that everyone may come to faith in him!

            May the seed of God’s word evermore be planted in your hearts that it may grow up in the fruits of righteousness, holiness, and eternal life! For so Christ comes to you even still to tend the seed he planted by his cross and death, that we may cling to faith both now and forevermore! In Jesus’ name! Amen!