Well that's confusing

Introduction: Today we start a new series called “The parables re-imagined” . The purpose of this series is to reimagine the parables in a context more familiar to us. The shocking nature of many of the parables has been lost on us over the years. By reimagining the parables we hope to recreate the shock and surprises in the parables, perhaps it will help us understand the parables in a new light. However, before we study the parables in earnest, I want to draw specific attention to what Jesus has to say about the parables he teaches. Jesus is the one who speaks in parables, so it seems wise for us to understand what Jesus' thoughts on the matter are. We can see what Jesus has to say about the parables in Matthew 13:10-13 and Mark 4:10-12

READ Matthew 13:10-17

Matthew 13:10–17 ESV

Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “ ‘ “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Mark 4:10–12 ESV

And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “ ‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’ ”

When Jesus was teaching in parables, the disciples no doubt observed confused looks in the audience. This prompts the disciples to ask Jesus “why are you teaching in parables?” Can’t you see this is confusing them. Jesus in a surprising response would basically say. “I know it’s confusing them, that’s the point. This in and of itself is confusing! Why would Jesus want to confuse people?

What’s more is that it doesn’t seem like the parables are particularly confusing. Did you find yourself confused by the story of the Good Samaritan or the Prodigal son? Probably not. This goes back to the shock value of some of the parables. They don’t pull the rug out from underneath us, or subvert our expectations in the same way these stories would shock and confuse a 1st century Jewish audience. Now we will eventually talk about a parable that confuses modern audiences where Jesus seems to commend the actions of a dishonest manager. However that’s a discussion for another day. Back to the question at hand. Why would Jesus want to confuse people?

In order to answer this question, we need to examine a few examples of modern day parables in the 21st Century. Which in our context is movies. So I’m going to show you three pictures from well-known movies, and made them famous.

The graduate Take 1967’s film “The Graduate” it’s a movie that could easily have a storybook love story ending. Dustin Hoffman's character Benjamin Braddock interrupts the wedding of his love interest, they run away together and get on a bus. However the movie does have a clear “happily ever after” ending. When the eloping couple boards the bus “Simon and Garfunkel’s” sound of silence begins to play, the camera pans to their faces and we see their faces go from happy and elated to terrified, as if to say “what have we done?” At this point the audience would begin to experience confusion. People would ask themselves “wait, do they live happily ever after? Does this relationship work? Or is it doomed for failure? People still talk about this movie 54 years later. Why? It wasn’t because the movie was clear, it sticks in people's minds because it’s confusing ending!

Inception Some of you have seen this movie, while others haven’t. The main premise of this movie has to do with dreams. The movie characters move between dreams and reality often. In order to keep his sanity Leonardo DiCaprio's character had a toy top he used to help him stay grounded. He gives the top a spin, and if the top continues to spin, he knows he’s in a dream. If he spins the top, and it loses momentum and falls over he knows he’s in reality. Near the movie's conclusion, we are on the cusp of seeing yet another happy ending as the film's main character is on the verge of being reunited with his family. However Leo’s character Dominic wanted to make sure he was in reality, so he gave the top a spin. The camera begins to zoom into the top, and just as it seems it might start losing momentum and fall over, the camera goes dark and the movie ends. My mouth almost hit the floor, I was confused. I Immediately started asking myself questions. Is he still dreaming? Is he in reality? Were there any clues to indicate he’s still in a dream? Did I miss anything? As soon as the credits rolled I bought a ticket for the next show. i was determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. The only way I could do this was by watching the movie again. I am sure you’ve noticed a pattern starting to develop.

Unsolved Mysteries In the 1990’s the show “Unsolved Mysteries” was one of the most popular of the decade. Do you think the show would still be as popular if it was called “Solved Mysteries” probably not. Why? Because something about the nature of an unsolved mystery confuses us, it forces us to go back over the details of the case and try and piece it together. Unsolved Mysteries will confuse us, and baffle us, and force us to ask questions.

The stories that pull the rug out from underneath us and subvert expectations really stand out. Stories where the hero wins and everyone lives happily ever after are a dime a dozen, and easily forgotten about. However the stories that subvert our expectations and confuse us stand the test of time. You can make the case that humanity likes stories that confuse us and subvert our expectations. We want a mystery to provoke our thoughts.

Some of the most popular podcast that people listen to are Podcasts about Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, and Jeffery Dahmer? Why would we be so obsessed with people so evil? Because people want to understand what makes them function. People are obsessed with them, because they are confusing, and we find that fascinating.

Now we might begin to have a clearer picture as to why Jesus wanted to tell stories that confuse us. Why? Because confusion is common in learning. And this isn’t a bad thing.

In a 2004 article in the Journal of educational media a study group examined a group of people learning from a computer programming class. The study revealed those who experienced greater amounts of confusion actually exhibited more learning. Boredom on the other hand revealed lower exhibitions of learning.

Confusion seems to pique our curiosity. Stories that confuse us lead us to ask more question. They keep us wanting to learn, and wanting to understand.

In a strange way, the confusing nature of the parables tend to separate the interested and uninterested. When Jesus quotes from Isaiah, the text mentions how the peoples hearts have grown callous. Jesus realizes there are many people who simply aren’t interested in what his teachings have to say. So in order to separate the interested from the uninterested, Jesus decides to make some of his parables confusing. When things are confusing, only the invested and interested survive. Some of the confused people in the audience would have callous hearts. They would become baffled and confused by Jesus' parables, and they’d wave their hands and say I don’t have time or interest in any of this. However for others the confusing nature of the parables would make others all the more invested and hungry for answers. In their hunger for answers, they would begin to ask questions, and dive deeper into the teachings of Christ.

Confusion is common in learning. So if the teachings of Jesus ever confuse you. it may be a sign you are growing. Are we comfortable enough to let Jesus confuse us? So we may become more hungry for answers, ask more questions, and come back to the source (the bible) for clarity?