This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them. (vv.13-15)
Truth hidden in story form
Jesus explains that he hides his message in parables because the people are stubborn and have hardened hearts. At first glance, that would seem like a good reason to be clear and straight-forward with them rather than cryptic. But the implication is that even if he spoke to the people plainly, they would still not receive his message. Jesus taught in parables to conceal truth rather than express it more clearly. This is actually a loving action because if the people understood the message they would be accountable to live it out- something they were not prepared to do. We will be judged according to what we have been given.
Another consideration is that there were probably some people in the crowd who genuinely wanted to know and follow Christ. This parable was an appeal for the spiritually hungry to search out answers to the mystery. Whenever there is something we don't understand in our faith, it is a divine invitation to greater intimacy with our Lord. Those who are earnest will draw close to Jesus and listen for his voice. I pray we may have humble and passionate hearts to know God more, especially when our understanding is limited.
"The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." Matthew 13:11-12
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