Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.

Mark 4:20

Do you want to live a fruitful life? Do you want your life to contribute to the good of this world, not to mention the goodness of God’s kingdom?

I expect you answered, “Yes” to these questions. We are wired from the beginning for fruitfulness. It’s part of our psychological/spiritual DNA. You’ll recall God’s very first instruction to humankind: “Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen 1:28). “Be fruitful” – we were made for this and, even though sin has confused our yearnings, we desire fruitfulness nevertheless.

Jesus’ so-called Parable of the Sower, or, perhaps, Parable of the Soils, assumes that fruitfulness is something to be desired. The seeds that fell on good soil “produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times” (4:8). In his interpretation of the parable, Jesus explains that some listeners to God’s Word “like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop – some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown” (4:20).

Follow the line of this parable, what is required if we are going to live lives of abundant fruitfulness? There are at least three key ingredients. First, there is the sower, the one who communicates God’s Word to us. This could be a human sower, though ultimately God is the one who broadcasts his Word. Second, there is the seed, the message, and the good news of the kingdom of God. We will live lives of maximum fruitfulness when we have heard and responded favorably to the Gospel. Thus, third, there is the soil. For the seed of God’s Word to flourish, it must be planted in good soil, that is to say, in people who are receptive, willing, and eager to have the Word grow in their lives. Good soil doesn’t just respond with a momentary emotional reaction to the Gospel. Rather, it provides a context for God’s Word to grow deep, thus producing roots that are essential for abundant fruitfulness.

As you think of your life, are the three ingredients of fruitfulness to be found? Do you regularly hear the teaching of God’s Word? Is your life centered in the Gospel? Have you welcomed God’s Word, not just in a momentary happiness, but also in a life of allowing the Word to grow deep so that it might flourish in your life?

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

Take some time to consider the questions listed above.

PRAYER:

Gracious God, thank you for sowing your Word among us. Thank you for helping us to hear, understand, and respond in faith.

May our faithful response be something that lasts as we allow your Word to penetrate our hearts. May it grow deep within us so that it might ultimately bear abundant fruit.

All praise be to you, Gracious Sower. Amen

Explore more at the Theology of Work Project online Bible commentary: Parables at Work (Mark 4:26-29 and 13:32-37)