"The Wasteful Sower" a sermon for 7th Sunday after Pentecost (7/12/26)

 

Now I am no gardener or even a farmer.  But I was a biology major.  And I loved to help my Mom in her garden.  I also lived in rural Missouri for eleven and a half years, where corn and soy grow on the sides of the highways.  So, I do know a few things about how gardens work.  I am sure you may as well.

First, you must carefully select the ground.  Nothing too rocky or shady

Then you need to make sure the soil is prepared.  Fertilizer and topsoil may be needed.

Finally, you can sow your seeds or plant your seedlings.

Your garden will need adequate sunlight and water to flourish.

What the sower does in Jesus’ story goes against all good gardening.  Notice how the sower scatters seed haphazardly.  There is no thought for the soil or how the soil (or lack thereof) will impact the growth of the future plant.  No gardener would garden this way in real life.  Rocky ground, thorny ground, good soil all get seed.

Needless to say, the garden is not a success.  Jesus’ original audience would foresee this.  Jesus’ culture is a farming and livestock society.  They know about farming and gardening intimately.  Proper planting means the difference between enough food for the winter and starvation.

Jesus’ sower seems very wasteful and extravagant.  Then we remember that Jesus is the Sower.  Jesus sows seed on behalf of God.  God is so anxious for growth that Jesus scatters seed without heed for the context, or the soil.  Jesus just throws seed around willy-nilly.

At different times in our loves, we might be different soil.  A loved ones’ cancer diagnosis may cause thorns to grow and choke out God’s presence.  Unemployment may cause our ground to be more rocky than usual.  There are many, many things that can impact the quality of our soil.

There is good news for you and me here.  Seed is lovingly and lavishly scattered everywhere.  Each type of soil receives seed without regard to the quality of that growing ground.  That seed is the abundant love of God.  Jesus sows God’s love far and wide so everyone can feel and respond to that love.

Also, we do not have to live with our type of soil.  We can improve our soil and, thus, our receptivity to God’s love in our loves. 

Daily Prayer.  Talk to God daily.  Tell God what is on your heart.  Spend time listening for God, too.

Bible study.  Read God’s Word.  Either alone or in a group.  Observe and take time to apply to your life.

Worship.  Attend church regularly.  Church is not for perfect people.  The Church is a hospital for the broken.

Prayer Partner.  A trusted person you can share with.  Someone who will support you and keep you accountable.

Journaling.  Write down your prayers and feelings.  Illustrate what God is saying to you.  It can be helpful to go back and see your growth.

These are just a few of what we call Spiritual disciples.  There are many others, such as fasting and lectio divina.  Deacon Dorothy and I would be more than happy to talk with you about how you might practice the disciplines.