July 27, 2008: Paths, Rocks, Thorns, and Dirt – Michael Hidalgo

This parable is more than just a simple commentary on the ability of humanity to respond to Jesus’ message. This paprable seems to be rooted in the prophetic language that Jesus uses over and again in his teachings. 

In his speaking of sowing he is resurrecting the language of men like Jeremiah and Isaiah. The Psalmist sang of sowing and reaping continually. Much of this sowing/reaping language seems to be caught up in Isaiah’s language from Isa. 6 – there the prophet sees the Israel like a tree being cut down in judgment – however the promise is from the stump comes a shoot. Jesus even quotes the prophet after telling the parable to “tip his hand” in a sense. 

It seems that in this parable Jesus is doing what the prophets had warned would happen: He is judging Israel for her idolatry and oppression – at the same time he was calling them to become a new people, a renewed Israel. He was announcing a way out of exile – God was sowing a seed of redemption – would his people hear it?