Twisted Tales
Once something is explained, the meaning becomes clear.
“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." - Matt. 13:18-23
Matthew gives us a treat. He includes Jesus' explanation of the parable of the sower, something we don't get with most of the parables of Jesus.
And the explanation makes so much sense, we accept it, forever cementing this meaning to the story.
But what if he had not included the explanation? What would we come up with as the meaning of the parable?
Would we focus not on the condition of the soil, but on the seeds?
The sower casts his seeds wherever he pleases. Some will have no chance to grow, while others will have a difficult time, but may live for a while, and the lucky ones will have everything they need to thrive.
So it is with humanity.
If Matthew had chosen to leave out the meaning of the message, we might use this parable to justify the condition of people in the world. Some will benefit from their placement in society while others will flounder and die.
We are sure that is not what Jesus wanted us to think, that we should not be concerned about the plight of those who are disadvantaged in any way, and yet one could use these words to any end.
Maybe Jesus did take the time to explain the parables to his friends, and some of these explanations survived, but the lesson I see in this example i painted is this.
Words can be twisted. Images these days can also be twisted. And meaning that seems obvious may be false or incomplete.
We need to be even more aware these days of the intent of those telling the story, for it is better to question and discover the truth, than to accept what is offered without question.
More to come...