Reaping And Sowing In The Ruins Series

Jesus says these people hear and listen to the Word, but only for a while. Their faith blossoms quickly, but then just as fast wilts and withers, often when under pressure. When my sister was in and out of the hospital, I remember my Dad making the comment, “You see a lot of people searching and calling out for Jesus, here.” He was right. You would see many people praying or talking about faith. But, I often wondered, how many people continued to do so once they left! Once the crisis passes, faith can disappear. Once the need is gone, they have no need for Jesus. The seed withers away. But, despite this, the sower continues on.

Jesus says some seed fell among thorns. To the sower, this seemed like good ground. The perennial thorn roots weren’t visible. Initially, it looked promising. But, once the seed sprouted up, the thorns grew first, and they choked the seed, limiting it, and killing it. It was unfruitful. Jesus says these people hear and listen to the Word, but imagine that God doesn’t need their undivided attention and devotion. Jesus presents the challenge of faith in good times. Notice the word He uses: “choke.” It is a brutal and violent word. Being choked is a slow process, where you lose all power, life, awareness, and ability to resist. It is where you tense and shrivel up. Jesus doesn’t mince words. What is it that chokes? The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches. Jesus says these things can slowly choke and kill that seed, kill that Word. This is the context we find ourselves in. This is the soil of America!

With the lack of success so far, it is enough to make this optimistic sower a pessimistic one! It is enough to make anyone go home, throw the bag of seeds, and say, “What is the use? It seems pointless! Nothing is working!” But, hold on. The harvest is to be expected. All is not lost. This Word does that for which it is sent. Plant the Word, and it will grow. God promises!

The harvest is to be expected! Be the optimistic gardener! Some seed fell on good ground, and it produced an extravagant harvest! It produces 100x, 60x, 30x, what was sown. The sower’s work wasn’t in vain. Jesus says these are those who keep on hearing and listening to the Word. They grow in their faith and sanctification. The Gospel always bears fruit. It will always make a harvest.

This Word makes a harvest in us. God’s Word doesn’t come back empty or void; it does what it is sent to do. This word delivers Jesus. It gives all that He has and is: His righteousness, His works, and His merits. It gives us all that Jesus gives and does: His grace, forgiveness, life, and salvation, won at the cross, confirmed at the Tomb. Jesus comes in that Word through baptism and His Supper. Jesus comes in that Word that is spoken and read. This Word, this Gospel message, always produces a harvest. It always bears fruit.

What does this look like? Paul gives us this picture in Galatians. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” The Holy Spirit produces this fruit, this harvest in us through the Word. He also produces another fruit, too, good works.