Sow What?
Sexagesima – February 23, 2025
Luke 8:4-15
Rev. Christopher W. Brademeyer
That portion from God’s holy Word for consideration this morning is our Gospel reading from St. Luke’s 8th chapter, with special emphasis on verses 4-8 which read as follows:
“And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.””[1]
Thus far the Scriptures.
The Word of God is very important; it is the foundation of our faith, the means by which God speaks to us, and the power that transforms hearts and lives. Think of a time when a single verse of Scripture provided you with hope, strength, or conviction—this is the power of the Word at work. It is more than just ink on a page or sounds in the air. It is the very power of God unto salvation. It is the difference between life and death, heaven and hell, forgiveness and condemnation. And because it is so powerful, there are many enemies who seek to choke it out.
The devil, the world, and our own sinful nature all conspire against the Word. The devil knows that the Word is his death, and so he fights against it with lies, distractions, and temptations. Persecution arises, seeking to make us fear the consequences of holding fast to the Word. The cares and concerns of this world press upon us, luring us away with the false promises of wealth, comfort, and self-fulfillment. The old Adam within us resists the Word, twisting it to serve his own ends, or rejecting it outright when it challenges his desires.
Despite these obstacles, this parable of Jesus reminds us that the great Sower continues to sow the seed of His Word, demonstrating God’s unwavering commitment to reaching His people with His saving Word. This reflects the doctrine of election—God does not wait for people to make themselves ready, but He actively sows His Word, calling and gathering His people through His grace. And he does so lavishly, even recklessly. He does not carefully prepare the ground before he scatters the seed. He does not limit his sowing to only the most promising soil. No, he throws the seed everywhere—on the path, on the rocks, among the thorns, and on the good soil. He does this because the Word itself is what prepares the soil, that is, the hearts of those who hear and receive it. The Word makes dead men alive, forgives the unforgivable, and calls sinners into the kingdom of God.
We often act as though we must make ourselves ready to receive the Word, as though we must cultivate our own hearts and prepare ourselves for faith. But this is not how it works. Dirt does not make itself ready for planting. It does nothing—it is passive. The sower does the work, and the seed brings forth life. In the same way, faith is not our doing, but Christ’s. We do not make ourselves ready for the Word. The emphasis here is on God, who sows His Word!
Consider how foolish it would be for a farmer to do no preparation before spring planting—failing to plow, fertilize, or care for the soil. Likewise, God prepares hearts through His Word, making them receptive to the Gospel. Imagine how poor a harvest would be brought in by a farmer who simply hoped that the field would make itself ready! And yet, this is what we often believe about our spiritual lives—that we can somehow cultivate faith in ourselves. But faith is not something we create. It comes from outside of us. It is given to us.
This is why God has ordained the means of grace—His Word and Sacraments. The Word comes externally, through preaching, absolution, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. It does not originate within us; it is given to us from the outside. And God has established His Church as the institution through which His Word is given. The Church is not in opposition to the Word but is the very assembly through which God distributes it.
And how does this Word come to us in our churches? Through the pastoral office. The divine office of preaching is set up by Christ Himself. Pastors are not self-appointed but are placed by God through the call of the congregation. They are given the task of proclaiming the Word—both in preaching and in the sacraments—so that God’s people might be continually nourished and sustained in faith.
We need the Word constantly because our sinful nature seeks to manipulate and dismantle it. And it is not just pastors who proclaim the Word—every Christian has the calling to share it according to their vocations, whether in their family, workplace, or community. The Great Commission is not just for clergy but for the whole Christian Church. We need the Word because the devil is always attacking, seeking to snatch it away. We need the Word because persecution threatens to choke it out. We need the Word because the cares of this world press upon us, tempting us to abandon it. God knows this, and so He is superabundant with His Word. He does not withhold it, but He scatters it generously, even recklessly.
This is why every church service matters, whether grand or small. Consider a small congregation gathered in a rural town, or a persecuted church meeting in secret—God’s Word is still being proclaimed, and His purposes are still being accomplished. A single sermon, hymn, or prayer can change a life and bring sinners to salvation; after all, God’s Word never returns void.[2] Even if only a handful of people are gathered, the Word is being sown. God is still at work. His Word is still going forth, accomplishing His purposes. And this is why the Church must also be superabundant in its proclamation of the Word, sowing the seed far and wide, trusting that God will cause it to take root and bear fruit in His time and according to His will.
Christ has given His Church a mission: sow the Word with confidence, knowing that God is faithful. Whether you are a pastor preaching from the pulpit or a believer sharing Christ with a friend, trust that God is at work through His Word. Share the Gospel boldly and uncompromisingly, for His Word does not return empty but accomplishes His purposes. Share the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection, for it is the power of God for salvation to all who believe. This great treasure is not ours to hoard, but a never-ending blessing to share with all those who are in need of it. And above all, trust that God, in His grace and mercy, will bring forth the harvest in us and all who He brings to salvation.
In the holy Name of + Jesus. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
[1] Luke 8:4-8 English Standard Version
[2] Isaiah 55:11
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