“And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” (Matthew 13:23)
The ultimate barrier to salvation is unbelief, and anyone willing to receive the gospel on Christ’s terms proves he or she is “good soil.” God honors the humble faith of receptive hearers and opens their spiritual ears, minds, and hearts, allowing them to understand the gospel.
The example of the receptive hearers ought to encourage everyone who has ever witnessed in Christ’s name. Despite the nature and prevalence of the other hearers, there are always some whose hearts have good soil in which the gospel can take root and flourish — people prepared by the Spirit to receive the truth.
Spiritual fruit is the inevitable by-product of spiritual life. Receptive hearers will demonstrate fruitfulness in both attitude — “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23) — and behavior, which Paul calls “the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:11; cf. Colossians 1:6). We are not saved by bearing fruit or doing good works, but we are saved to become fruit bearers (Ephesians 2:10).
Jesus not only assures us here that believers will bear fruit, but that we will bear it abundantly: “some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” These figures represent an extraordinarily abundant yield for the regions Jesus ministered in. They do not guarantee that we all will produce that much; but they do show the productive results of sowing the Word and emphasize that true believers will indeed produce fruit. That’s the point of Jesus’ parable.
Think about it: Besides the obvious blessings and service opportunities created by fruit bearing, what other benefits pour into the lives of those who hear the Word and take it to heart?
Prayer
Father, I thank You for Your gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus, and the many other gifts that you give Your children. May I be given the chance to touch others who may be struggling in life so that I may show that these gifts are freely available to them as well.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
