Jesus told parables to keep people FROM forgiveness?

9. August 2008 by James.

Mark 4:10-12.  When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that,
” ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!‘ ”

Huh?  Isn’t Jesus all about forgiving everyone?

Obviously he wasn’t during his ministry on earth, and still isn’t.  In his time he WILL forgive, but it isn’t time yet for the forgiveness, rebirth, restoration and salvation of the Jews, to whom he was speaking.

Well, I’m not a Jew, but I have been justified, or reconciled - as a Gentile.  Obviously God’s purpose is unique for Jews, theirs is the law, the oracles, the priests, the profits and the revelations - Jesus will forgive them in his time - when he establishes the Millennial Kingdom, when they are reborn, restored and saved - when “All Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:25-26).

For those who are not Jews there is no promise for forgiveness.  Sucks to be a Gentile I guess.  Unless you read Paul’s gospel which promises in 2 Cor 5 that we will be reconciled, justified and become grafted in - apart from the law -  by grace through faith (2 Cor 5:18-19).

If you’ll let yourself be free… you’ll see that this is really good news - for everyone - Jew and Gentile.  If you’re stuck…. then… hang in there - in his time.

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