Why Parables? Mark 4:10-13.
And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, “so that ‘they may indeed see but not perceive. and may indeed hear but not understand , lest they should turn and be forgiven.’”And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?”
Dear Saints,
Jesus spent a lot of time with the disciples and away from the crowds. As we learn here, it was deliberate.
Inquiry (v. 10). The desire to learn is not in everyone. The crowds came, were intrigued by the parables of Jesus, then they just went away, as though it did not matter. The selection of the disciples was not arbitrary. A disciple must have the desire to learn. He must be eager to unravel those mysteries that God has chosen to reveal.
Information (v. 11). Jesus shares an interesting mote with the disciples. Whereas the crowds are left in ignorance, the disciples are privileged to know the “secret of the kingdom of God.” God chose those he did so that he can reveal the depth of his intentions to them. So it is healthy to inquire. People who glory in their ignorance and proudly declare, “I don’t care about doctrine, I’m just a simple Christian,” are not representing the kind of followers Jesus wants.
Ignorance (v.12). Blindness and deafness are for the unbelieving. Remember that earlier, it was established that unbelief is a choice (3:2-6, 22-30). God will leave such in their ignorance because it is not knowing they need. Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9-10, a passage that actually suggests that God has given the unbelievers up to their faithlessness and firmly determined that he will punish them.
Incredulity (v. 13). Jesus declares his amazement at the inability of the disciples to understand the parables. He is communicating the extent to which humanity has drifted away from the truth so that it cannot grasp even simple facts about God. Jesus’ question is more a statement of the need for someone to assist the disciples to understand. And of course, Jesus is there to do the interpretation for them. We should not be overconfident and rely on our intellect only. No matter how brilliant one is, there are things that sinful nature will not comprehend without the help of the Holy Spirit.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.