The people say: ‘Lord! If so, then it is surely wrong that You now leave him in the dungeon! Judging by the deeds You have performed, which surely no person except God can perform, it would certainly be easy for You to free the Baptist, since he had worked for You. Lord, You really should do that and not leave him stuck there now!’
I say: ‘Whoever should come himself accomplishes more than if he sends a messenger or a letter. John’s spirit is great, and greater than all the spirits that have ever worked in a body on this earth; but his body belongs to this earth, and from its weaknesses a weak soul has also developed, and it is good thus.
‘For such a strong spirit is indeed capable of drawing a weak soul into strength; but John’s flesh and soul are weak, and a messenger and letter never accomplish what the person himself accomplishes, in whom soul and spirit dwell.
‘For I may not and cannot bind My strength and power onto anyone out of My will, unless someone comes and takes them for himself; for no one is ever prevented by Me from taking life or judgment, whichever he wishes, nor likewise My power and strength for a good purpose.
‘But whoever does not come himself receives nothing except the grace of light, through which he may find the way to Me here or beyond, and on the way perceive that I Myself am the way to life and life itself!
‘John indeed acted as no other to become fully master of his flesh; he saw salvation before him and yet did not wish to seize it for himself. Why not? Did it perhaps have to be so?
‘Here before you stands He who pronounces the must where it must be! But He also tells you that He has pronounced no must for John in this matter.
‘That he was called to prepare the way before Me for people’s sake was a certain must, behind which, however, an eternal freedom also still lies hidden, which you cannot grasp in your flesh. But that he should not have been permitted to follow Me when he saw and recognized Me—there was no should, and still less a must. His spirit obeyed the soul’s objection; therefore he also came into doubt about Me and has therefore already sent messengers to Me for the second time! Whoever asks is not yet clear; for every question presupposes either sheer lack of knowledge or doubt about what one knows, whether what one knows is true. If John were fully clear, he would not send messengers to Me.
‘Indeed, no person before him has ever led so strict a life as he; for when he felt a desire in his flesh, for days he ate and drank nothing, and was thus the earth’s greatest penitent without ever having sinned. But nevertheless I tell you all: a sinner who improves himself and comes to Me full of love in his heart stands higher than John!
‘For whoever says to Me, “Lord, I am a sinner and not worthy that You enter beneath my house’s roof,” is dearer to Me than ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance and praise God in their hearts because they are not sinners and therefore are better than even the slightest sinner. I tell you: their reward will one day be no special one in My kingdom!’