And He spoke many things to them in parables…Mathew 13:3

      Jesus taught many things in parables, creative little stories that were designed to illustrate spiritual truth. Jesus did not hesitate to use creative methods in His ministry.
      His twelve disciples and those who were “about Him,” those other seekers of truth which can represent those of us today who are His seekers, (Mark 4:10) asked Him why He taught in parables and sought to understand what they meant (Matthew 13:10, Mark 4:10.)
      Jesus told them – “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: that seeing they may see and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them (Mark 4:11, 12.)
      What!? Doesn’t Jesus want to forgive all men’s sins? Of course He does. The Scriptures tell us that it is the will of God for all men to be saved (I Timothy 2:4.) Then why does it seem here that the truth is being withheld from some? Jesus tells us the reason in Matthew 13:15.

“Their eyes they have closed.”

      The people have chosen to close their eyes to the things of God as prophesied by Isaiah of this time when God would send the Redeemer to Israel and all of us (Isaiah 6:9.) And because of their choices God has hardened their hearts (Isaiah 6:10.)
      “Therefore I speak to them in parables” – stories that require some seeking to gain their meaning. Yet, the vast majority of the multitudes are not interested in seeking – therefore what they are shown, they cannot see, and what they hear they cannot understand (Matthew 13:13.)
      The parable that precipitated this discussion is that of the sower who sows his seed upon different types of soil (Matthew 13:3-8.) Jesus explains that these soil types are basically conditions of the heart (Matthew 13: 18-23.)
      As Jesus is telling His stories to the masses, and as we in turn share the Gospel message, the seed of God’s word falls upon all without discrimination, yet all hearts are not His; but “Blessed are your eyes, for they see and your ears, for they hear.” (Matthew 13:16.) You are of those who have gathered themselves about Jesus in Mark 4:10, the seekers who have come out of the crowd to seek the truth. You are among His disciples.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter (Proverbs 25:2.)
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (Matthew 7:7.)