The Great Gospel of John
Volume 3
Jesus' Precepts and Deeds through His Three Years of Teaching
Jesus near Caesarea Philippi
- Chapter 4 -
Directive of the Lord with regard to the robbers.
One of the young Pharisees says, "Great, eminent, powerful spirit! Much, yes, but by no means everything! But we all thank you fervently for this; for with the great key of heaven you have truly opened up secrets about which we had not even the slightest idea before. From now on we will all make every conceivable effort to proceed on the right track in life; only we would like to know it better. For today though we have already had more than enough; for we need time before our spiritual stomach digests it. On the morrow we will be more receptive to higher and deeper things than could be the case today
2
But now we would simply like to hear the seemingly very wise man who is resting at the side of the high governor and talking very secretly with him speak some words of wisdom; for he, even if he is no angel, seems to be superior to you all - for his manner and his certain stoic composure during your angel"s speech reveal deep and great things!"
3
Julius says: "You are correct; but it is not as easy as you think to make the man speak. Whenever He wants, He often speaks a lot, and every word is like a whole creation full of wisdom; but when He does not want to, no-one can easily move Him to it. But try it yourself, speak to Him and He will surely give you some kind of answer!"
4
The young Pharisee says, "No, my courage fails me; for he could give an answer that would be enough for a life-time! Therefore we will let it be for today with our probably very inopportune inquisitiveness!"
5
Julius says, "That is probably best! Tomorrow is another day; maybe then there will be a better and easier opportunity to move Him to words than today. But maybe He will yet say something today and you can then listen to Him easily and openly."
6
At this our young Pharisees are at ease and wait for an opportunity to listen to Me.
7
But soon after this a constable comes from the sea where the familiar criminals are being held saying to Julius, "Lord and master! We cannot bear the five murderers any longer; for they say such frightening things and make such terrible gestures that all the soldiers are horrified and some of them can hardly be kept under control so that they do not suddenly lay hands on the criminals because of the most terrible and most brazen blasphemies. For they say: We would rather die than patiently listen to such evil and brazen blasphemy any longer!"
8
Julius asks Me, "Lord, what shall we do?"
9
I say: "There are still five hours until morning, and the five criminals must bear up till then ! They cannot and must not be neglected one minute! But if the guards cannot bear the foul language, they should draw back so that they cannot hear them; for not one of the criminals will break through and loose his strong bands. I give my word on this! The seven political prisoners create no meaningful problem anyway and are quiet; they can be put with the guards and things will go easily for them in the morning. But the murderers will give us all enough problems. So let it be so; for only through great torment can the soul of the evil murderers be made freer and freer from the flesh of Satan and his very evil spirits, a release without which any salvation cannot be thought of!
10
At these words of Mine the guard leaves and carries out My advice.