In the parable of the sower, you may recall that Jesus referred to four different soil conditions upon which the seed fell. Those conditions determined the success of the seed sown, that is, how fruitful or not it would become.
We understand from Jesus’ explanation of the parable that he was equating soil conditions to the conditions of the human heart. When he spoke of the seed that multiplied to 30, 60, even 100, times what was sown, the reason for that was that the seed fell on what Jesus referred to as “a good and noble heart”.
Have you ever wondered how that person acquired a “good and noble heart” before the seed of the gospel ever landed on his heart?
Jesus seems to be implying that even before hearing and responding to the gospel, it is possible for a person to honestly be searching for God to such an extent that he develops a good and noble heart in the process. Then, when the truth of the gospel does land on his heart he is ready to make good on it and begins to produce a beautiful abundant harvest.
Perhaps the following statement from Jesus also sheds light on this situation. He said,
“If anyone wants to do God’s will, he will know about my teaching, whether it is from God or whether I speak from my own authority.” John 7:17 (NET 2nd Ed.)
The case seems to be that to the honest, searching heart — “a good and noble heart” — truth is self-authenticating, and such a person instantly receives it and starts to grow. In the words of one Christian writer, “The soul that wants to fly knows the difference between wings and lumps of lead.” (George MacDonald)
