Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 (NRSV)
Context
Chapter twelve in the Gospel of Matthew is given over to controversy and increasing conflict. The controversy has to do with violations of the sabbath, first the issue of picking grain on the sabbath (12:1-8) and then healing a man with a withered hand on the sabbath(12:9-14).
Then comes an expansion of Jesus’ healing ministry, with the admonition to those healed “not to make him known”(12:15-16). A demoniac, who is also blind and mute, is then brought to him, as opponents more or less up the ante to see what happens.
To a mixture of amazement and dismay, Jesus meets the challenge, so that the individual is not only cured of possession but can then also see and hear. This provokes messianic speculation among the crowds and resentment among the religious authorities, who allege that Jesus is essentially an instrument of the devil(12:22-24).
The remainder of chapter twelve is given over to Jesus’ response to this accusation (12:25-32), commentary about “a tree and its fruit,” conversation about “the sign of Jonah”(12:38-42), and concern about “this evil generation”(12:43-45). It closes with the poignant picture of Jesus’ mother and brothers, standing outside and waiting to speak with him. It is entirely possible that, as in the Gospel of Mark, they are afraid that he is out of his mind (3:20-21; see also Mark 3:31-35).
The thirteenth chapter is the beginning of Jesus’ third discourse (out of five altogether in the Gospel of Matthew). Unlike other occasions when he preaches or teaches, Jesus uses a boat to gain a little distance from the crowd and presumably be heard by more people. He is seated, which is the traditional posture for a teacher.
He uses the example of a farmer who went out to plant seed, using the method of sowing that would have been familiar to those in the crowd. At first hearing, it sounds like the sower wasn’t particularly proficient–sowing seed on the path, rocky ground, and among thorns as well as on good soil. But the point is not proficiency but in the extravagance of the sower, in spreading seed all possible sorts and kinds and varieties of soil!
And extravagance is also seen in the results–though not in three of the four instances. According to one knowledgeable authority (Joachim Jeremias in The Parables of Jesus), a first-century harvest would have been seven-fold to ten-fold. Thirty-fold would be bountiful, and a hundred-fold amazing!
Reflection Questions
- How has this parable been interpreted for us in the past? Has there been a temptation it to be moralistic, i.e., that we are responsible for “becoming good soil?”
- Do we ever think of ourselves as the ones “sowing the seeds,” or do we think it is only Jesus–or someone officially in charge of things?
- Do we realize the extravagance of God’s grace–and the promised results?
Prayer
Lord, we often want to limit the extravagance and generosity of your grace. We want to confine your grace to predictable areas. But your grace is such to be extended far beyond what we would have expected or imagined. Help us be open to your extravagant grace and to rejoice in the promised harvest. Amen.
Tags: Extravagance, Grace, Jesus, Parable, Sower
