Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
So, which do you prefer the name "Dried plums" or "Prunes?" Do you prefer the name "Microwave" or "Radar Oven?" How about the name "Backrub" or its other name "Google?" Or how about the frozen meals called "Diet Deluxe" or the other name for them "Healthy Choice."
Of course those are all examples of what is termed "rebranding." For whatever reason a particular name is not doing well, so companies will take a package of a particular product, perhaps change its color and size and sometimes even the name. Rebranding sometimes works like Microwave from Radar Oven but sometimes rebranding does not work, remember "New Coke."
Perhaps then, it may be helpful to consider "rebranding" the stories and episodes from the Bible. For example, today, we have what is usually known as the Parable of the Sower. As you may remember, Jesus shares 37 parables, simple stories that convey a message. Yet although these 37 parables are simple, the messages they covey are deep. Today's parable is further unique in that it is one of two where Jesus also provides an interpretation. Nevertheless although Jesus provides an interpretation, it, too, could be considered a parable because it only deepens the message of the parable.
So, today let us try to rebrand this parable and see if any new insights arise.
First, we could dub today's parable the parable of the careless sower. This extravagant farmer does not plant his seeds in a nice clean line or in a specific field, rather the sower is indiscriminate. This lavish sowing leads to three failures: the seed on the path is devoured (v. 4); the seed sown on rocky ground is scorched by the sun (vv. 5-6); and the seed sown among thorns is choked (v. 7). Furthermore, some of the seeds fall on good soil and bring forth a range at harvest, some a hundredfold, some sixty and some thirty (v. 8). So, from that rebranding we could venture to ask is Jesus the sower and the seeds his teachings? Is Jesus a careless, extravagant sower and why would Jesus let his teachings fall on the path, on rocky and thorny ground? That would mean that for us his followers we are to model our own sowing after this sower, sharing Jesus' teaching extravagantly and indiscriminately, not judging which people and places are worthy of them and which are not. In other words we are not to be concerned about soil at all. Again and again in the midst of a thorny and rocky and good world, God sows the life-giving Word. We hear the story again and again as it works in us, and despite ourselves it even bears fruit.
Another way to sort this parable is to call it the Parable of the Miraculous Harvest. In this view, we recognize that the sower is mentioned only briefly. The sower does not return to rejoice in the harvest or even to harvest it. Rather, the miracle that counts is not so much the size of the harvest but the fact that it happens at all. However big or small the harvest itself is a miracle. Just like God's grace the harvest is a complete, unexpected surprise to remind us of the Kingdom of God. In other words we are not to be concerned about the harvest, or the environment, because like grace, it is as wonderful and unique as each one of us his followers. For example, in baseball, home plate is both the beginning and destination of our journey. We go from base to base, with perils in each base path---pickoffs, rundowns, force-outs, double plays, strike-outs. We are finally safe only when we get back to our roots--home plate. We rejoice in where we are.
A third way to brand this parable is to call it the Parable of the Helpless, Ill fated Seeds. Think about it with me. The seeds the sower so haphazardly throws around have no choice whether they flourish or not. Rather it is all in the quality of where they land. The environment determines the seeds' ability to grow and survive and to bear fruit. If a bird eats you, you are done for. If the ground you are on is rocky, you wither. If the ground you are on is thorny, you are choked. If conditions are not ideal, you cannot yield a harvest. In other words, you cannot do anything by yourself, no matter where you and I are in life, we are completely dependent on God. We need to recognize that it is the dense complexity of God's grace that provides us with the solid ground we stand on and the enzymes and nourishment that enable us to grow.
Yet, another way to brand this parable to is to view it as the Parable of the Good Soil. I think this is the second most popular name after the Parable of the Sower. The success of the seeds depends on the quality of the soil where they land. That means that everybody has the ability and potential because we may be on good soil. In this view, seeds--- ourselves --- can grow without our instigation, and often, even without our knowledge. In other words, we are to be completely open to the work of God wherever we are in life. There is nothing we can do except trust in the grace of God that comes in, with and through Jesus Christ. We do not control our destiny, or where we are in life. We are to be "do"-ers of the word, only God brings forth a harvest.
A fifth way we can name this parable is to call it the Parable of the "Secret"
Savior. In chapter 12, Jesus has been under assault by his opponents. Two such incidents are when the Pharisees object when the disciples pluck grain to eat on a Sabbath and when Jesus heals the withered hand of a man (chapter 12: 1-14). However, in Chapter 13, the divinity of Jesus is affirmed. Jesus not only teaches about the Kingdom of Heaven in simple but deeply meaningful parables, but embodies the mystery "hidden from the foundation of the world" (13: 35) but is now revealed in Jesus. In other words, this parable is reminding us, that it all points to Jesus, our savior.
Finally, we could call this the Purposely Confusing Parable. In this parable, Jesus turns from addressing the large crowd while sitting in boat by the shore of the lake to speaking to a more intimate group of his disciples. Jesus gives an intentionally confusing parable and provides an interpretation in order to tell them the strategy of speaking in parables (10-17). Jesus is sharing this parable as a statement that Jesus will now use parables intentionally so that he can reach some and not others. Jesus is saying that some will see and hear, but will not, at a deeper level, understand and take his words to heart. In other words, Jesus is reminding his disciples of the exceeding value of the kingdom and the necessity of total commitment to it.
Well what do you think? The Parable of the Careless Sower, the Miraculous Harvest, the Helpless, Ill-fated Seeds, the Parable of the Good Soil, the Parable of the Secret Savior or purposely Confusing Parable; which brand name(s) do you prefer? Whichever one or ones you pick, following Jesus Christ is not a simple process but a complex discipleship struggling to learn and grow. We all have different realities, different soils, with which to contend. We are all seeds, uniquely shaped and created by God yet humanity. And we each will have fruit that can be measured in many different ways. Nevertheless, for the Christian, life's 'realities' we find we are living --- our realities do not excuse us from choice or responsibility. Thus, as hearers and doers it is the reality of Jesus whose power was hidden on cross, glimpsed in the resurrection that is now growing all around us. Amen.
I post every week or so. It is based on a calendar and not based on my emotions.
Posted by: Charles | 31 January 2013 at 07:02 AM