How to interpret Mark 4:9-12?

How to interpret Mark 4:9-12? On the surface, these verses might appear to imply that Jesus spoke in parables to avoid having to forgive people. The verses can be read in such a way that Jesus spoke in parables because He wants people to be more ignorant so that they would come under judgment rather than God's Mercy.

I'm pretty sure this isn't the correct interpretation, though. Would anyone like to have a go at explaining these verses for my brother and myself?

Mark 4:9-12

9Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

10When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11He 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 12so that, " 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'"

---

Had the people started repenting in front of Jesus, he would forgive them, and it would have added to the temptation not to face the cross. It was always before his face to have another way for us to be saved than for him to be made sin for us. "Remove this cup" was his heart's desire and to have nations repent prior to the cross would fuel his flesh to resist the cross.

The same thing is taught when Adam is denied eating of the tree of life. Forgiveness or Eternal Life destroys the Holiness of God without the cross.