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The lectionary gospel reading for Trinity 6 is the Parable of the Sower and the Soils in Matt 13, along with Jesus’ explanation of it—though omitting the challenging explanation of why Jesus teaches in parables in the middle.
Come and join James and Ian as they explore the passage, and its significance for discipleship, ministry, and mission.
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Ian Paul: theologian, author, speaker, academic consultant. Adjunct Professor, Fuller Theological Seminary; Associate Minister, St Nic's, Nottingham; Managing Editor, Grove Books; member of General Synod. Mac user; chocoholic. Tweets at @psephizo
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Just a thought on your comment about Jesus going out of the house: there is a bit of an inside/outside theme here reminiscent of Matthew 12:47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” 48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” There is a dark message of division/judgment in the parable – those who are inside and hear the explanation and those who are outside and do not. Even so Jesus still goes out.
Are you not possibly allegorizing what is just plain, simple, normal narrative, Malcolm ?
Here is a little seed:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/igjy2av30n68ni1/seedtime.jpg?dl=0
I created this little image some time ago to illustrate who and what the word sown looked like.
It may be interesting to read into the parable the idea that Jesus is the word/seed who produces 100 fold. Perhaps the two readings combined: 30, 60, 100, 60, 30 create a sort of chiastic structure in the reader. It places Jesus at the centre. The middle of history?
Thanks Steve.
Indeed Jesus is the Promised Seed.
A further thought. He is the only one who truly self-seeds!
Here’s a thing Geoff; can you start a parabolic thread that only the elect can comprehend; so that neither Parasees, Saducees, Zealots or pagans can follow? Jesus did it — why not us?
In the conversation between Ian and James, the term “the house” (Gk. “tes oikias”) was mentioned – in Matt. 13:1 (If I remember correctly).
Some New Testament Translations (including ‘Goodspeed’s) interpret the Greek “tes oikias” in Matt. 13:1, as ‘his house”; i.e. Jesus’ house.