Print

By Tyson Thorne

September 1, 2016
 
 

The Galilean Ministry at Various Cities (4.14-9.50), 8.4-15

Following the disclosure of women assisting in Jesus’ ministry, Luke records a familiar parable about a farmer sowing seed. We’ve mentioned before four types of people who show up to hear Jesus preach (the 12, other disciples, people needing healing or who want to witness miracles, and the religious authorities); in this parable Jesus tells us four responses people have to his teaching about the kingdom and his right to rule. But this message, while spoken before everyone, isn’t for everyone to understand. Such is the nature, and purpose, of parables.

In the parable there is a farmer (Jesus) who is scattering seed (John and Jesus’ message about the kingdom) upon a plowed field. Some of the seed falls on hard soil and the birds come and eat it up. This represents those who hear Jesus’ teaching but are unable to understand or accept it, so influenced are they by the god of this world, Satan. Some of the seed falls on good soil that sits atop limestone (of which there is plenty in Israel). This soil type represents those who are at first excited by Jesus’ message, but who do not take it in and allow it to transform them. Instead, they join the next new movement or follow the latest celebrity. Some of the seed falls on good soil that is replete with weeds. This soil represents those who acknowledge Jesus’ message but are too entangled with worldly concerns or pleasures to commit to God and his Kingdom. All three of these soil types – people types, really – are unbelievers. While some may respect the message and even give mental ascent to its truthfulness, the root of the message has not reached their heart. This leaves us only the fourth soil type, good and unobstructed soil that allows the message to sprout and grow. This is the person who is transformed by the message, a person who allows the message to change them into a truly fruitful follower.

Jesus then launches into a second parable which is an extension of the The Sower. Those of the fourth soil, those who have heard the message and allowed it to take root in their inner most being, must not keep that message to themselves. Like a stalk of grain, they are to become seeds, too, that are scattered to other soil. In this parable the message regarding the Kingdom is like a lamp. Light is not made to hide (that is what darkness is for), rather light is made to illuminate. It is the responsibility of every devout believer to shed that light, not to hide it and pretend to be like the rest of the world. Our light exposes the sins of others, and they will respond according to the type of soil they are.

Jesus entreats his listeners and modern readers alike to receive the message and allow it to transform their lives. What is the message of the kingdom? In this case it is that Jesus is the savior and rightful king of all peoples everywhere. Jesus is the Messiah and as such is the savior of all who trust in him, whether it be before or after the crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus says in Matthew 28 “I have all authority in heaven and on earth…” so he has the rights of a king. Though many may not happy with his rule, they are under it just the same – a truth that will become clear when the kingdom comes in its fullness.

How do we shed the light of this message today? Through a full life experience. What this means is that we must live as citizens of God’s kingdom, which is to say very differently from the world around us. Our lives should be visibly different in the places we frequent, the entertainment choices we make and even the language we use. We are not to hide our citizenship any more than we would a lamp. When opportunity arises we are to speak of the kingdom and our king, and sometimes we may even make opportunity as Jesus so often did. We will see more of how we are to live and communicate as we progress through the book of Luke.