Proper 6
Preaching
Preaching Mark's Gospel
A Narrative Approach
We come now to the Sunday of the "great omission." Lectionary Cycle B skips over the first 25 verses of Mark 4: the Parable of the Sower. In chapter 12 we have given consideration to this parable at some length. Many interpreters see this parable as one of the keys for interpreting Mark's Gospel in its overall, narrative sense. We must find room in our preaching on Mark's Gospel to include the Parable of the Sower. This might be the Sunday for such inclusion.
It is not only the Parable of the Sower that has been omitted. Mark 4:21-25 has also been omitted. We commented on the theme of these verses in chapter 12. In his words to the disciples Jesus had said some things about who will hear and believe that are difficult to grasp. The Twelve, the insiders, can know the secrets of the kingdom. Those who are outside cannot figure it out. They see but they do not perceive. They hear but they don't understand (Mark 4:10-12). Mark 4:21-25 helps to interpret these hard-to-grasp verses. This story "talks" to that story. "... There is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!" (Mark 4:22-23). When these stories are allowed to have conversation with each other we begin to catch Jesus' full message.
The matter of hearing is also emphasized again in 4:21-25. The Parable of the Sower had begun and ended with a call to listen. That is true because what the Sower sows is the word. A word is offered to be heard. Faith comes through such hearing. This relationship between hearing and faith will be evident throughout Mark's Gospel.
The parables before us this week are clearly related to each other and to the Parable of the Sower. Mark 4 is a long meditation on matters of sowing and harvest. When we attach these parables to the Parable of the Sower we hear that the sowing of the Sower (Jesus) is most certainly not in vain. Some seed falls on the path, some on rocky ground and some amongst the thorns, to be sure. But other seed produces extravagantly: thirtyfold, sixtyfold, a hundredfold. The seed sprouts and grows even though the farmer doesn't understand the process at work here. In some instances the seed is very small. "Not to worry," says Jesus, "for from very small seeds come the greatest shrubs of all."
We could put these stories under our usual exegetical microscope and come up with all kinds of interesting information. Such a course of investigation may well produce more harm than good. These parables in today's text are not given primarily for our analysis. They are given as words of proclamation and hope. That is how we shall treat them.
Homiletical Directions
Let's make this Sunday the time to begin to unfold the riches of the Parable of the Sower. You may wish to refer to the previous chapter to call some of these riches to mind. Of most concern is the overall context of the Markan story through Mark 4:34. Mark chapters 2 and 3 are filled with stories of the rejection of Jesus. That can be Story One for this week's sermon. We don't need to tell all the stories in these chapters. Tell enough and summarize others so that hearers get the message that coming to the Parable of the Sower we are faced with massive rejection of the One who announced that in his ministry the reign of God had drawn near.
Story Two is a place we might tell the Parable of the Sower. It would appear that one of the reasons Jesus has for telling this parable is as a logical answer to the questions raised in chapters 2-3. What's going on here? Wasn't Jesus supposed to be Son of God, bringer of the kingdom? Why all the rejection? What does it all mean? And the answer is: the Parable of the Sower! If you can set up the context for this parable in telling the rejection stories in chapters 2-3 you need make little further comment on the Sower's story. It speaks for itself.
If you wish to nudge it along to clarity, focus on the fact that it is true (at least for a time) that some people just don't get it. Some people are path people; Satan snatches the word they have heard from them. Others are rocky ground people; they follow immediately but they have no depth and they fall away when times of trial come upon them. Still others are thorny ground people; they hear the word with joy, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke out the word. But! There are also the good soil people; they bear fruit in manifold abundance. All is not lost! What is secret will come to light.
Story Three can be the telling of today's parables in context. It is recommended that you simply proclaim these parables. Don't read them, though. Have them memorized or tell them in your own words. You've told Story One (rejection) and Story Two (some reject but some bear fruit). These stories of rejection and wondering about the coming of the reign of God are not just yesterday's stories! We ask the same questions today. Faith is constantly confronted with the fulfillment gap between the promises of Jesus and the reality of our faith-lives. Mark knew this very well. He presents Jesus, therefore, as the One who must suffer. (See Mark 8:31; 9:30-31; 10:32-34 and the Passion story!) Mark's Jesus is the Crucified. Mark's Jesus is the One who reveals himself in dying on a cross. Mark knew that the Sower himself would one day be sown in the earth. And yet there is hope! Seed that is sown will spring forth and blossom even a hundredfold!
A host of contemporary questions come to mind:
In the light of Jesus' bringing the kingdom near...
Why is there still war and rumors of war?
Why do humans continue to do great harm to the environment?
Why is hate lodged so deep in human hearts?
Why do human relationships constantly fall apart?
Why do I suffer?
Add your own items to this list.
We are tempted to reject Jesus in light of these and many other realities. In your sermon lift up at least four of these kinds of questions for your hearers. You can lift them up in brief story form or by simply citing them. After putting forth the first question on your list, simply tell the story in vv. 26-29. Tell it as proclamation. Tell it as the answer to the question. Be sure in your telling that you emphasize that this is what the kingdom of God is like. (Remember: don't read it.)
Raise your second question. After you have enunciated it, tell the story from vv. 30-32. Again, tell it as proclamation.
Raise your third question. Tell the parable in vv. 26-29 again. Trust the power of oral repetition!
Raise your fourth question. Tell the parable in vv. 30-32 again.
Say, "Amen." Let Jesus' parables speak for themselves.
It is not only the Parable of the Sower that has been omitted. Mark 4:21-25 has also been omitted. We commented on the theme of these verses in chapter 12. In his words to the disciples Jesus had said some things about who will hear and believe that are difficult to grasp. The Twelve, the insiders, can know the secrets of the kingdom. Those who are outside cannot figure it out. They see but they do not perceive. They hear but they don't understand (Mark 4:10-12). Mark 4:21-25 helps to interpret these hard-to-grasp verses. This story "talks" to that story. "... There is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!" (Mark 4:22-23). When these stories are allowed to have conversation with each other we begin to catch Jesus' full message.
The matter of hearing is also emphasized again in 4:21-25. The Parable of the Sower had begun and ended with a call to listen. That is true because what the Sower sows is the word. A word is offered to be heard. Faith comes through such hearing. This relationship between hearing and faith will be evident throughout Mark's Gospel.
The parables before us this week are clearly related to each other and to the Parable of the Sower. Mark 4 is a long meditation on matters of sowing and harvest. When we attach these parables to the Parable of the Sower we hear that the sowing of the Sower (Jesus) is most certainly not in vain. Some seed falls on the path, some on rocky ground and some amongst the thorns, to be sure. But other seed produces extravagantly: thirtyfold, sixtyfold, a hundredfold. The seed sprouts and grows even though the farmer doesn't understand the process at work here. In some instances the seed is very small. "Not to worry," says Jesus, "for from very small seeds come the greatest shrubs of all."
We could put these stories under our usual exegetical microscope and come up with all kinds of interesting information. Such a course of investigation may well produce more harm than good. These parables in today's text are not given primarily for our analysis. They are given as words of proclamation and hope. That is how we shall treat them.
Homiletical Directions
Let's make this Sunday the time to begin to unfold the riches of the Parable of the Sower. You may wish to refer to the previous chapter to call some of these riches to mind. Of most concern is the overall context of the Markan story through Mark 4:34. Mark chapters 2 and 3 are filled with stories of the rejection of Jesus. That can be Story One for this week's sermon. We don't need to tell all the stories in these chapters. Tell enough and summarize others so that hearers get the message that coming to the Parable of the Sower we are faced with massive rejection of the One who announced that in his ministry the reign of God had drawn near.
Story Two is a place we might tell the Parable of the Sower. It would appear that one of the reasons Jesus has for telling this parable is as a logical answer to the questions raised in chapters 2-3. What's going on here? Wasn't Jesus supposed to be Son of God, bringer of the kingdom? Why all the rejection? What does it all mean? And the answer is: the Parable of the Sower! If you can set up the context for this parable in telling the rejection stories in chapters 2-3 you need make little further comment on the Sower's story. It speaks for itself.
If you wish to nudge it along to clarity, focus on the fact that it is true (at least for a time) that some people just don't get it. Some people are path people; Satan snatches the word they have heard from them. Others are rocky ground people; they follow immediately but they have no depth and they fall away when times of trial come upon them. Still others are thorny ground people; they hear the word with joy, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke out the word. But! There are also the good soil people; they bear fruit in manifold abundance. All is not lost! What is secret will come to light.
Story Three can be the telling of today's parables in context. It is recommended that you simply proclaim these parables. Don't read them, though. Have them memorized or tell them in your own words. You've told Story One (rejection) and Story Two (some reject but some bear fruit). These stories of rejection and wondering about the coming of the reign of God are not just yesterday's stories! We ask the same questions today. Faith is constantly confronted with the fulfillment gap between the promises of Jesus and the reality of our faith-lives. Mark knew this very well. He presents Jesus, therefore, as the One who must suffer. (See Mark 8:31; 9:30-31; 10:32-34 and the Passion story!) Mark's Jesus is the Crucified. Mark's Jesus is the One who reveals himself in dying on a cross. Mark knew that the Sower himself would one day be sown in the earth. And yet there is hope! Seed that is sown will spring forth and blossom even a hundredfold!
A host of contemporary questions come to mind:
In the light of Jesus' bringing the kingdom near...
Why is there still war and rumors of war?
Why do humans continue to do great harm to the environment?
Why is hate lodged so deep in human hearts?
Why do human relationships constantly fall apart?
Why do I suffer?
Add your own items to this list.
We are tempted to reject Jesus in light of these and many other realities. In your sermon lift up at least four of these kinds of questions for your hearers. You can lift them up in brief story form or by simply citing them. After putting forth the first question on your list, simply tell the story in vv. 26-29. Tell it as proclamation. Tell it as the answer to the question. Be sure in your telling that you emphasize that this is what the kingdom of God is like. (Remember: don't read it.)
Raise your second question. After you have enunciated it, tell the story from vv. 30-32. Again, tell it as proclamation.
Raise your third question. Tell the parable in vv. 26-29 again. Trust the power of oral repetition!
Raise your fourth question. Tell the parable in vv. 30-32 again.
Say, "Amen." Let Jesus' parables speak for themselves.
