| “But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold” (Matthew 13:8). |
| Finally we come to some good soil! We thank the Lord for the good soil, for it is soil that has been well prepared, is free of stones, has not been tramped down by people’s feet, and does not have thorns in it. Here is a place where the seed can really grow and mature. |
| The seed that grows in this soil represents true believers, who accept Christ as their Savior, and who go on to produce fruit for Him. But then we notice that not every stalk of wheat produces the same amount of fruit. |
| In a field of wheat, with a really “bumper” crop, a head of wheat may have as many as one hundred kernels on it. That means one hundred kernels of wheat from one seed! In an average year, a head of wheat may have about sixty kernels on it, and that is considered a good yield. Finally, if it is a poor crop, perhaps due to a lack of enough rain, there may be thirty grains of wheat on a stalk. |
| So it is with you and me as Christians. Some Christians produce more fruit than others. Some Christians are more devoted and more diligent in their Christian life, and produce more for the Lord than others. But then the question may arise, What is fruit for the Lord? Does it mean activity in serving Him, or is it something else? How about a person who is born blind, or born with some other handicap, so that he/she cannot go out and actually do much for the Lord? |
| Fruit for the Lord is not measured only by active service for Him, although it includes that. But every right thought in your heart and mine is fruit for the Lord. Believers who can never leave their homes can produce much fruit for the Lord. Many have served Him well by earnest prayer; others have enjoyed His Word and been a help to others, without ever going out of their homes. The Lord has something for each of us to do. |
| Let us all seek to produce one hundredfold. |
