Three Times

There is an old adage that says the English laugh at a joke three times – first when they hear it, the second time when it is explained, and the third time when they understand it. I can’t speak to the accuracy of the adage wherein the British are concerned, but how often we see the same pattern with the spread of the gospel. In the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13 we are taught that when we spread the gospel sometimes it will fail to be heard (… some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up₁), sometimes it will not take root (some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away₂), sometimes the environment will squelch the gospel (… some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them₃), and finally sometimes it will be received, embraced, and taken to heart (… [some] fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold₄). Too often we think of the soil as representing three disparate groups – one group that is inattentive or disinterested, one group that gives passing attention, one group that is unreceptive due to bitterness or anger; and finally the group that hungers for the message and takes it to heart. In reading this, though, I realized that I am all four. A daily devotional that is considered with the morning news playing in the background, an insight received from a pastor’s message when I am distracted by my plans for the afternoon, the grieving of te Holy Spirit when I allow myself to be consumed by frustration and loneliness; and finally the revelation of God’s word with the assistance of the Holy Spirit at a time and place I have set aside to commune with my Creator.  As many times as I have considered this parable, I never personalized it to myself. As a faithful steward I have to keep the soil of my heart fertile and open to God. And when I share the gospel, sowing the seed, I must not be hindered by my imaginings or assumptions of the quality of the soil, but must trust God to draw close those whom He knows are receptive.

It was not that long ago that I would see sidewalk preachers shouting the gospel on street corners as business people passed by oblivious and believe that they were not just ineffectual, but  perhaps hardening the hearts of unbelievers by their delivery.  However, I understand now that they were sowing seed, and that the person who might be disinterested today might be hungry tomorrow. 

Even as we sow the Word, let’s be careful to tend the soil of our own hearts. Too, let’s not forget the poor Englishman waiting to get the punch line. If the gospel doesn’t take root, keep sowing.