But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit,

some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Matthew 13:8

 

     This is the last of the seeds scattered, somewhat haphazardly if you ask me, by the farmer. Other seeds fell by the wayside, upon rocks, and among thorns. This is the first seed that fell into something. Jesus tells us it fell into good ground and brought forth fruit.

     Then there are three distinctions in the amount of fruit. I imagine the farmer was out planting for some time and sometimes the seed missed the soil and others not so that the spots where fruit grew are spread throughout the field just as the rocky, thorny places could be spread throughout.  It is unclear how much seed is sown and how consistent. But we do know there were different yields.

     The word some interests me. Once again I don’t know an amount. I know this parable is trying to teach me something. Jesus gives us the benefit of an explanation telling us good soil is the soil of understanding. I believe I understand and do my best to explain it to others. I don’t understand as well as others though. I think if I had to pick a tree to hang my tire swing from it would be the one that yields sixtyfold.

     I’m in some good company. I don’t know how many of us there are but perhaps that is not the point. Perhaps the point isn’t even the yield of fruit. The point is that the trees brought forth fruit. Fruit trees grow in good soil. We need discernment to find that soil and scatter plenty of seeds.

     If you want to be part of the some, the trees that bear fruit then you better go scatter some seeds.