Some a 100, Some 60, Some 30


This week we studied Matthew chapter 13 in our Wednesday Bible study class.  We read this verse:

Matthew 13:8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

I wondered. . . 100:1, 60:1, and 30:1 return on the planted seed investment.

Googling various crops average yield:

Corn = 500-1000:1

Wheat = 20-50:1

Soy beans = 75-300:1

Barley = 90-220:1

Lentils = 30-50:1

Today's agricultural methods undoubtedly yield larger returns than in Jesus time.  I don't know that corn or soy beans were grown in that region in that time.

So Jesus may have had in mind:

100:1 - barley

60:1 - lentils

30:1 - wheat

Jesus goes on to explain:

Matthew 13:23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

We who have received the seed on the good ground. . . we've heard the Word and understand it. . .where it has taken root, produced fruit. . .

What is that fruit that we are to produce?  What is that increase?  Is it only to bless our own lives?  Or is it for us to use the seed that we produce. . . our fruit, to likewise spread in others, in the hopes that it will find good ground within them?  

From Jesus teaching, not all the seed that we cast will find good ground.  That must not dismay us.  We must continue to spread seed, in the hopes that some will find good ground. . .  

We cast a hundred in our lifetime, and maybe only a handful find good ground. . . Keep casting. . . seed taken to the grave yields nothing.  It is wasted.  Cast while you are able. . . Cast while it is day. . .

I love You my God. . .

I thank You for those who cast seed to me. . . 

<3

Dave

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