Why Did Jesus Preach in Parables?

Why did Jesus preach in parables? Why was the meaning of them only explained to His disciples and not the crowds more generally? This appears intentional as if Jesus didn't want them to understand what He was saying, how could this be? This week on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host, Dr. Josh Philpot discuss these questions. They seek to help us understand why Jesus used parables to teach during His time here on earth and why they are helpful to believers. They also point out why we must take them seriously, and not just graze over them because we say we believe or already believe.
 
Dr. Caldwell says we, as believers tend to think of parables helping us get a hold of the truth. Often they involve stories that are illustrative using things we are very familiar with, therefore they do tend to be helpful. However, he explains that we have to put our feet in the shoes of those who would have first been hearing these parables. Those people would have been wondering: what does this mean and why would Jesus do this? Dr. Caldwell asks, "Why would Jesus teach in such a way that would cause people to not get the message and then go and explain it to His disciples so that they can get the message?" He points us to the Word of God and tells us that Jesus answers it. He turns to Matthew 13:10-15 for us to see what Jesus Himself has to say about it.
 
What Christ explains in these verses, is that this manner of teaching is a form of judgment. He has spoken to these people plainly and clearly. He says that what He has given them they haven't received, their ears are dull and their hearts are hard. Christ has said that He was willing to heal and bless them, but th