The Planted Seed for Frustrated Pastors

Isaiah 55:10-11   "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,  so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Hogwash.  The word I sent forth in your name often accomplishes nothing as far as I can tell.  Sinners are not cut to the heart.  The gospel seems to not bring any true joy.  The people are moved at the sound of that word as easily as a sumo wrestler super-glued to the floor is budged.

Matthew 13:19  When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.

Now this rings true.  Sometimes I can almost hear the satanic fowl flying between the pulpit and the pew plucking the word from the people.  The word is gone and only confused faces remain.  Call me as a witness to testify to this truth.

Matthew 13:20-21  As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.

Amen, amen.  Now this is my life.  The kid in confirmation class who has never heard the gospel responds with many questions.  He even comes and talks after class.  He listens every Sunday.  You can almost see the kingdom springing up in his heart.  Then the kids at school start to rib him for being a goodie goodie.  They tell him that if he wants to hang with them he needs to stop all this bible talk.  Then the cute girl steps in to seal the deal.  As the parable says, immediately he falls away.

Matthew 13:22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Oh I could offer volumes in defense of this one.  How many people have left the divine service to chase after bigger and better stuff.  They have to work they say.  Sure, if they want to keep up with the Jones.  If they want to travel around the world freely.  If they want another pair of shoes or bigger TV.  When they were just starting out as a new couple, they were always there in the pew.  Now they show up twice a year if nothing else comes up.

Matthew 13:23  As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

Never.  Never. Never.  They laugh at the harvest I bring in at the elevator.  I might have well just have turned the ground over and made an insurance claim.  One who hears the word and then bears fruit.  Yeah, that is wishful thinking. 30, 60, 100 fold.  Hah!

Well, except for that couple that reconciled when no one thought they could possibly make it.    And there is that girl who is a true witness to the faith and is living our her faith right in the midst of all the peer pressure to do otherwise.  There is that old man who suffers greatly each day and yet speaks of the Lord and his Church with such confidence, peace, and joy.

The guilt-ridden man no longer carries around that weight.  The bound addict now walks free of that burden.  The despairing woman now operates with a renewed purpose.

We did get the report about how the Africans are receiving the gospel with great jot and desiring to be taught more each day.  And at that one inner city church, the homeless are not only being fed food, but are saying they come to hear about Jesus.  Thousands gathered at that conference to receive the word and the Supper.

John 1:14  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Yes, although the seed had been cast ever since Eden, now the seed would be planted in a wonderful way planned before the soil even emerged from the water.  Yes the seed of the word was planted. 

John 12:23-24  And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

He fell from the cross into the tomb.  He rested dormant in the earth for three days.  And then the kingdom began to sprout.  One sign of life Easter morning.  At least eleven more in the upper room.  And then at Pentecost, much fruit.   Much fruit right away.  And that was only the beginning.

The kingdom has been spouting up ever since at the word. 30, 60, 100 fold. 

Wretched man that I am.  Doubting the power of the word.  Believing it to be impotent in the face of my reality.  Spreading other things in order to to try to produce the growth I fear will not come from the word alone.

Romans 7:24 25  Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

The seed planted in me as water carried the word.  Planted each time the words of absolution fly from the sent one’s tongue to my ears.  Planted each time the body and blood are eaten and drank.  The kingdom springing up in me.  30, 60, 100 fold.

Isaiah 55:10-11 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Amen.  Again I say Amen.