This coming Sunday is the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Lectionary Cycle B.  From the beginning of Mark, chapter 4, we have seen Jesus teaching via some very memorable parables about the Kingdom of God:

• Parable of the Sower (vv.1-9)
• Purpose of the Parables (vv.10-20)
• Parable of the Lamp (vv.21-25)
• Parable of the Seed that Grows Itself (vv.26-29)
• Parable of the Mustard Seed (vv.30-34)

The effect of his teaching has been to keep those on the “outside” from understanding: “Without parables he did not speak to them.” But it was different for the disciples: “but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.” (4:34). Why parables? Parables are an analogical way of teaching; one that does not simply give the listener the correct answer, but invites them into a reflection about the analogy offered: “the kingdom of God is like…” It invites them into a range of possibilities whose ideas germinate into a larger answer. That answer might be “next step” on the journey of faith, a radical u-turn, or something that completely turns one’s world upside down. Had Jesus spoken to the crowds in a direct manner they would have been forced to make a decision immediately. Perhaps a decision that too quickly concludes in unbelief and rejection. Jesus’ use of the indirect address of the parable is then a grace and invitation to allow time for deeper reflection on his appeal to penetrate beneath his words to “the word.”

William Lane [173] offers this insight about the public/private teachings: “With Jesus’ parables before the people the evangelist contrasts his private exposition of ‘everything’ to his own disciples. ‘Everything’ within this context means more than parabolic utterance; it refers to the mission of Jesus in which the mystery of the Kingdom was veiled. The summary, accordingly, … exhibits the two aspects of the revelation of God in the mission of Jesus. There was veiling (or very partial disclosure) before the multitude and disclosure (but only partial understanding) to the disciples. This is the pattern illustrated in Ch. 4 and assumed throughout the Gospel of Mark. In the private instruction which Jesus gives to his disciples, the mystery of the Kingdom as present in his person is graciously unveiled. Only through revelation does the enigma become partially resolved; not until the consummation (to take the perspective of the parables) will it become resolved for all men.”

However, we will see that even with the disclosure/special instructions, the formation of the disciples has a way to go. But parables are not the only method of teaching.

Image credit: Christ stilling the storm on the Sea of Galilee | Ludolf Bakhuizen | 1695 | Indianapolis Museum of Art | PD