PONDERING... Why Did Jesus Use Parables? (Mark 4:10-13, 33-34)

Why Did Jesus Use Parables? (PM Lesson Outline)

GIST: Parables were revealers of faith.

SCRIPTURE: Mark 4:10-13, 33-34

10 And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 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, 12 so that

“‘they may indeed see but not perceive,

   and may indeed hear but not understand,

lest they should turn and be forgiven.’”

“13 And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?” ...

33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

Jesus spoken often in parables. In fact, as verse 33 says, though He did not use them exclusively, they were a primary means of His earthly teaching ministry. But why did He use them? Gist? Parables were revealers of faith. So...what does that mean? Why did Jesus use parables?

1. Not to make it easier

I’ve heard this explanation used before--especially when explaining how we should teach. Jesus used stories, so we’d know how to use them to help people understand complex truths.  However, that’s not what He said.

-What He said: 11 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, 12 so that

“‘they may indeed see but not perceive,

   and may indeed hear but not understand,

lest they should turn and be forgiven.’”

-Also, if His purpose was making complex truths clearer, then was He not good at it? (Even the disciples didn’t understand…). To say Jesus was a “bad teacher” would be heresy. Not even nonbelievers would try to make that case. So, there has to be some other purpose. Thankfully, He tells us explicitly why He used them. I guess the issue is, are we willing to accept the truth He speaks?

2. Not to hide maliciously, but to let hard hearts harden and true faith take root.

The passage quoted in verse 12 is from Isaiah 6:9-10. Matthew’s recording of this passage is a little longer and I feel will help shed show light on this. Matthew 13:10-17

10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand,
   and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
15 For this people's heart has grown dull,
   and with their ears they can barely hear,
   and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
   and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
   and turn, and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

This is a picture of God’s sovereignty in balance with man’s responsibility again. Just like in the responses to the gospel we looked at last Sunday morning, here were told that:

1) Some people will not believe, and therefore be turned away by the parables. Lignonier ministries put it very well:  “The parables do not create fresh unbelief in sinners; rather, they confirm the opposition already present, and apart from grace the unregenerate perversely use our Lord’s teaching to increase their resistance.”

2) Some people will believe and seek deeper understanding after hearing the parables. Like the disciples and “those with them”.

3) Both of these scenarios are completely within God’s hands. And that’s why he used parables. Remember: We sow, but He saves.

3. And...it’s meant to be seen.

But remember the parables we looked at last week? This secret is not meant to be hidden. It’s only hidden because people fail to recognize it. It’s hidden because, blinded by sin, we cannot see. Yet, it’s meant to be seen. And it is the responsibility of those who have been given the truth (because this is a gift) to share the truth.

Mark 4:22-25 22 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. 25 For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

TAKEAWAYS:

1. There will be people who will not believe, and there will be people who will believe.

2. God is sovereign over salvation. Period. (This should be a source of joy, not debate.)

-His power.

3. Those who have been given the truth, must share this blessing.

-His plan.