Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23

 

•          Encoded Teaching? – For centuries Jesus’ parables were thought to be encoded teaching that could be decoded into illuminating spiritual truths.  However, literary scholarship now suggests that the preaching of Jesus was not “vivid decorations of a moralistic point, but were disturbing stories that threatened the hearer’s secure mythological world." [1]   

•          Sitz im Leben – Many readers of the past have listened more to the later allegorical interpretation in vs. 18-23 than to the original story told by Jesus (vs. 3-9).   It might be more useful to limit  study to vs. 3-9 as a way of listening to “the frustrations a farmer must face," [2] rather than attempting to explore specific meanings of the various harvest spoilers—rocks, paths, and weeds.

•          Hermeneutics – If the parable’s point is to provide a response to the meager following that Jesus’ word of the kingdom gained, then the proclaimer may well want to take the same approach—to contextualize the theme of “the great harvest that God will produce despite temporary setbacks." [3]

•          Unknown Writer of the 6th Century – God has always been sowing.  Indeed, from the beginning of the human race it was natural for God to sow the seeds of knowledge. [4]

•          Regarding house plants, do you (a) talk and sing to them like friends?  (b) forget about them till their leaves fall off?  (c) just hope no one gives you one?

•          Which of the four soils in this parable best describes your response when you first heard the gospel? 

•          What in your life nurtures your spiritual growth? What are the “thorns” and “rocks” in your life which choke out your spiritual growth?

 

Please view the DPS homily for this week based on Mt 13:3-9. 

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[1] The New Interpreter’s Bible (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995), page 300.
[2] Interpretation Series: Matthew (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1993), page 152.
[3] Ibid, page 154.
[4] In J.P. Migne, Patrologiae cursus completus.  Vol. 56  (Paris: Migne, 1857-86), page 792.
[5] Questions are adapted from Serendipity Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998), page 1575