February 21, 2024

Today's Reading: Mark 4:1-20

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 8:13-9:17, Genesis 9:18-11:26

The sower sows the word. (Mark 4:14) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Have you ever felt like it was your job to convert someone? Whether it be a family member, a friend, or even a random stranger? It is easy to fall into. We feel responsible for saving others, as ones who have been redeemed by faith in Christ, we cannot help but not be concerned for the eternal fate of others. So, we set out to convert. We strive to sway, convince, and even persuade people to believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We argue, debate, and provide evidence in the face of skepticism and unbelief. We then find ourselves bearing the burden of failure when the Word is rejected. 

Maybe you have found yourself with this burden and guilt. You might have a friend you have invited to church over and over, they finally agreed to come, and when they came they didn’t have a miraculous conversion but instead they said, “thanks, but no thanks.” Or maybe it’s a cousin, they don’t know Jesus, and no matter how many times you share your faith with them, they sort of brush it off, or change the subject. No matter the case, no matter the rejection, the Parable of the Sower is of great comfort for all who sow the Word. Jesus makes something abundantly clear in this parable. It is never the fault of the Word.

As Jesus explains, the Word is not the problem. Instead, the issue lies with the soil, or there are external forces at play. There is indeed nothing new under the sun. Satan continues to prowl, sin continues to ravage souls, and the Word of God continues to be rejected. But there is another truth here. It isn’t your job to convert anyone. That lies with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works through the proclamation of the Word of God, and in so doing brings people to faith, it isn’t you, it isn’t how well you can convince, debate, argue, and persuade, instead it is the Lord’s doing, it is the Spirit’s work. Thanks be to God!

But it is up to the church to sow the seed. It is the church’s job to proclaim the Word. Anytime the Word is proclaimed, seed is cast out onto the soil. As Pastors proclaim the words of forgiveness, seed is sown. In the public reading of the Scriptures, the Word is sown. In the faithful preaching of God’s Word, seed is sown. In the Sacraments, seed is sown. When you share Jesus with a friend, seed is sown. When you bring someone to church, seed is sown. When you show the love of Christ to others, seed is sown. And the rest? That’s up to the Holy Spirit. 

On what has now been sown Thy blessing, Lord, bestow; 

The pow’r is Thine alone To make it sprout and grow.

Do thou in grace the harvest raise,  And Thou alone shalt have the praise! (LSB 921:1)

- Pastor Caleb Weight is associate pastor of Peace In Christ Lutheran Church in Hermantown, MN.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

The Lutheran Reader’s Bible helps you develop a habit of devotion and Bible reading so you can slowly but intentionally understand and grow in God’s Word. Through introductions to the sixty-six books of the Bible, guided reading plans, and more, this Bible builds your confidence to study Scripture on your own.