The parable of the sprouting seed and the parable of the mustard seed are typical of Jesus’ preaching style. With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Jesus simply presents the parable, the image without introduction or explanation. He lets his listeners figure it out for themselves. How different that is from catechetical style teaching. Growing up I had to give back the exact answer that the Baltimore Catechism had in order to be considered correct. Jesus teaches in a way that engages the listener, not force feeding them something from the outside but instead eliciting from within them their thoughts, their insights into how God is at work. Maybe our preaching today should practice a similar trust in people’s divine spark.
