Luke 8:4-21: a timeless lesson from agriculture.

A few years ago I had one of those, ‘Pinch me, I must be dreaming’ moments. One Sunday morning,a man I knew reasonably well was in church. Over the next week or so I was blessed to see his openness to Christianity, and in no time at all he was telling me that he had made a commitment to Christ. I saw it as a major answer to my prayers for my neighbourhood. He certainly received the word ‘with joy’. There was a lightness about him that showed in his face, and I’m certain that for a time, at least, his family enjoyed the sunshine of a softer, warmer, kindler man. He devoured the Bible and books about it. He was a regular and enthusiastic church attender. Also, he and I met often to pray and read Scripture. It was, therefore, heartbreaking when, just a few months later,he fell away from his involvement in church. He did face a severe test, and it appears he had ‘no root’. Still today I feel sad about my friend. Of course, I’ve seen this happen many times, but this one probably hit me harder than the the others. I had a deep personal investment in this. But I could never say Jesus didn’t warn me!

At the mention of a ‘great crowd’ (4) we are easily impressed. Jesus wasn’t. He knew what to expect and He ‘sowed’ His understanding in some ‘seed’ that has helped to manage Christian expectations for centuries. One of the highlights of our sabbatical time was to attend a church of thousands in Singapore, just a few weeks ago. We felt the spiritual seriousness and earnestness of the people around us. But you can be sure that even there this parable is being worked out.

Jesus’ teaching shows that we are in a real and fierce spiritual battle (12). Every time the Word is preached the devil active. Preachers should remember this and be prayerful. As mentioned earlier, the words of Christ also prepare us for disappointment (13). And I can’t help but wonder how many of us in the churches are living in (14). We sit under the influence of Biblical preaching, but other influences have a choking effect. Nonetheless, let us sow the seed knowing that some will fall on ‘good soil’ with attendant results. Authentic spiritual growth takes time and so requires ‘patience’ or ‘perseverance ‘ (15). It will not come about without an attitude to the Word that holds it ‘fast’, or retains it. ‘Take care then how you hear’ (19). God wants to shine his light on you. And remember that the kinfolk of Jesus show their relationship to Him by obedience (19-21). In fact, only in relationship with Jesus can we ever hope to obey.

At Christmas, my good friend Tom Ward, the director of ‘Good news broadcasting’, gave me a book called ‘The pastor’. It is the autobiography of Eugene Peterson. I knew I should bring it away with me, and so I popped it immediately into my hand luggage on Christmas Day, and Jilly and I have been reading it with great delight during our extended leave. It could not have been more timely for us both.It has reminded me that pastoral work by its very nature is often messy, but in the midst of the mess God is mysteriously at work, forming people into the image of Jesus. And if we are prayerful and patient, we will see the fruit in due time.

Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus for your honesty with us, and for your loving preparation of our hearts regarding what to expect when we sow the seed of your Word. Help us to keep sowing with enthusiasm and faith, knowing that we are workers together with you, and you, not we, are the Lord of the Harvest.