“And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold” (Mark 4:8).
“But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold” (Mark 4:20).
In this chapter, Jesus tells the parable of the four soils. I’m focused on the last soil mentioned, the good soil. The good soil is the heart that hears the word and accepts it and bears fruit.
Narrowing down still, I see that the good soil bears different measures of fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some one hundredfold. This realization should help us not to compare ourselves with others. We are not in competition with other believers to see who is the best Christian.
We should work together in a movement to know Jesus and make him known. All believers should focus on their own part without comparison with other believers. We should be able to encourage one another to strive to know Jesus better and more faithfully make him known to others. And we should be able to do this without thoughts of ranking who is best.
When we receive the word, we will produce varying levels of fruit. And we do that because of God’s grace.
Father, help me to be more faithful in receiving your word. Help me bear fruit in the amount you desire. Amen.
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