` Sexagesima - 2001

Sexagesima - 2001



Todd A. Peperkorn, STM
Messiah Lutheran Church
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Sexagesima (Feb. 18, 2001)
Luke 8:4-15
On the Occasion of the Baptism of Renata Lilly Peperkorn
TITLE: “The Seed is the Word”

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Our text for today is taken from the Gospel lesson just read from Luke chapter 8.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55), so God says through the prophet Isaiah. It doesn’t take much living to know that God does not work like we work. Living and dying, children come into the world and God’s older children go home to be with Him. All of it shows us again and again that we are not God, and that we cannot know the mysteries of His grace, but only rejoice at God’s wonder and mercy.

So it is with our Gospel lesson this morning. A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell by the wayside, when it was trampled down and the birds devoured it. Some fell on the rock and it withered away because it had not roots. Still some fell by the thorns, because the thorns choked it. But some seed fell on good ground, and it returned the crop a hundredfold. Jesus then concludes with the words, He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Now the disciples were confused, and so they asked Jesus what the parable meant. Jesus then tells them that the parable was meant to confuse the unbeliever, but to enlighten the faithful. To some this story, like all of the Scriptures, is a closed book. They can hear this parable a thousand times and yet they will never get it, because they cannot see with the eyes of faith. To others, though, this parable shows God’s love and mercy in the most unlikely of places.

Jesus tells us what the parable means. The seed is the Word of God. Now think about this for a minute. Think back to the story of the sower. This seed seems to be the most insignificant, pitiful little thing of all. It’s passive. It looks dead and powerless. As this seed falls on different places, we hear of the trials this seed has. The devil pulls it away from the heart of the faithful. Others receive the word implanted with joy, but when trouble comes, they have no root and die. Still others have the seed planted within them, but the pressures and things of this life choke the Word implanted within them. But to some, ah, to some the word implanted within them grows and bears fruit a hundredfold and more!

So where is the power? Who determines which seed will sprout and grow and which seeds will choke and die? Is it within you? Some would say yes. God gives you His Word, so now it’s up to you do decide what to do with it. That is attractive in many ways, because we like to be in control. I’d like to know that I could choose my own destiny and determine my own future. But as attractive at this is, we also know that it isn’t true. The power is in the Word of God. Remember our Old Testament Lesson from Isaiah 55. God’s Word does not, indeed it cannot return to Him void. It will do what He promises and give what He has to give.

This Word of God is more powerful than first meets the eye. Outwardly, the Word is seen by many as a lifeless book on the shelf, an outmoded relic that bears as much relevance as an old picture of someone else’s family: “Nice for someone else, perhaps, but not for me!” And then there are some who feel more than ambivalent about the matter—there are those critics who feel strongly enough to denounce even the notion of God and his Word. So, whether by quiet DISINTEREST or by continual DENOUNCING, the Word of God becomes the most despised thing in the world. As the Apostle Paul once wrote, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” (1 Cor 1:18)

Martin Luther once remarked that this parable teaches us that we should never be surprised when people reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That doesn’t make the Word of God less powerful, but it shows how much the unbelieving world despises God’s Word. The miracle is that despite the rejection, despite the hatred that we all show to God’s Word by nature, despite all of that, God continues to plant faith. He continues to give His Word to poor unbelieving hearts. He continues to give words of mercy and forgiveness to sinners like you and I. And the God who made the heaven and earth can turn the rock of your heart into dust and the thorns of your life into a beautiful blossom. That is the miracle of the Gospel.

This weekend is a big one for Messiah Lutheran Church. We’ve seen God plant His Word of grace in the heart of Renata this morning. And just as any good gardener will tell you that a seed doesn’t grow much without water, so God has watered this seed of His Word in her heart through Holy Baptism. Now this water doesn’t simply refresh the body. No, this water, along with the seed of the Word, will continue to grow and blossom in her so that a child of God, reborn and renewed, has sprung forth and blossomed. 

This is also a big weekend, because we have seen one of God’s elder children here at Messiah return home to him. Margaret Sheridan fought the good fight of faith, and was ready to be received into the bosom of Abraham. With Margaret, though, God has given us the privilege of seeing the fruits of her life. Truly that Word implanted within her has brought forth a hundredfold. Every time I saw her these last two months, I left praying that God would give me such a faith as hers in my times of need. She is an example of all of us to hear and follow.

And that is how the kingdom of God works. Our Lutheran Confessions say that even a seven year old child knows what the Church is, namely, sheep that gather and hear the voice of their shepherd. Whether the sheep be young or old, rich or poor, black or white or whatever, God’s Word rings out into the world and creates faith when and where He will. God is always using our weaknesses and heartaches to demonstrate His great love for lost sinners. What a gift from God!

This is why we pray “Lord keep us steadfast in Your Word.” It is this Word of God that holds you together when times are tough. It is this Word of God that creates faith and sustains you through the turmoil of life. It is this Word of God that will burst through the cares of this life, the wiles of the devil and the temptations of our own flesh. It is this Word of God connected to bread and wine that give you the very body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Savior. What more could we hope for? What more could we need in times of trouble?

As Renata begins her journey in Christ today, as Margaret has finished her journey and is now with Christ, and as we all continue our pilgrimage here on earth, God will continue to give His Church faith in times of need, patience before trials, confidence in the face of danger, and hope in the face of persecution. He has given these things to the Church throughout the ages, and He will not fail you now. Remember Jesus words, I will never leave you nor forsake you. What greater words of comfort could ever be given? To some they will never get it, they will never understand, but to you who have the gift of faith, yes, to you God holds out life everlasting, forgiveness, peace where there is none, and the sure and certain hope that God forgives your sins and will bring you again to His heavenly mansion.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The peace of God, which passes all human understanding, keep your hearts and minds in true faith, unto life everlasting. Amen.
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