The following is satire.
The Warden: “Prisoner #489739525, I have developed a Wanting Serum which makes you want freedom and no longer desire to be a criminal”
A Prisoner: “What?”
Warden: “I just want you to know that, if you want, I can give you this Serum and you will want to be free”
Prisoner: “But I don’t want it”
Warden: “I know, that’s because I haven’t given you the Serum yet”
Prisoner: “I thought you said that if I wanted it, you would give it to me. Isn’t that what you said?”
Warden: “Yes”
Prisoner: “But then you said I will want the Serum if you give to me?”
Warden: “Yes”
Prisoner: “Well then give it to me and I will want it”
Warden: “No”
Prisoner: “Why not?”
Warden: “Because you don’t want it”
Prisoner: “Why are you telling me this?”
Warden: “I want you to see what you don’t have so maybe you would want it and then I would give it to you”
Prisoner: “But I have never known any differently. I was born to be a criminal, taught by my father, this is what I’ve always wanted. How can I want any differently?”
Warden: “You cannot. Not without the Serum”
Prisoner: “OK, so I can’t ask for the Serum because I don’t want it”
Warden: “That’s true”
Prisoner: “But let’s say you slipped some of the Serum into my food, would I then want the Serum?”
Warden: “Yes”
Prisoner: “So then, why don’t you do that?”
Warden: “Because you don’t want me to”
Prisoner: “But I CANNOT want you to”
Warden: “That’s true”
Prisoner: “So then give me the sermon so I will want you to”
Warden: “No”
Prisoner: “Why not?”
Warden: “Because having many Prisoners like you justifies my job and huge salary”
Prisoner: “So you’re telling me that you have this Serum that will make every Prisoner not want to be a criminal anymore and the reason you do not give it to every Prisoner is so you can make money?”
Warden: “Yup”
Prisoner: “You do realize that makes you selfish, right?”
Warden: “Maybe, but I’m the Warden. I can be selfish. I can do with you Prisoners as I please”
Prisoner: “If you say so. I still don’t understand why you’re telling me about this Serum I cannot want”
Warden: “OK, I’ll be honest. I just think it’s kinda funny. Like dangling a lollipop in front of a child and then watching them cry when you yank it away”
Prisoner: “But, I don’t want the lollipop”
Warden: “I know! That’s what makes it even funnier! I have what you really need but you can’t want it unless I give it to you and I won’t give it to you unless you want it! Don’t you see how hilarious that is?!”
Prisoner: “It sounds cruel to me”
Warden: “Oh, what you know about cruelty?”
Prisoner: “Ummm, I’m a criminal. Cruelty is kinda my thing”
Warden: “Fair point. Same time next week?”
Prisoner: “I’m not going anywhere”
Warden: “Don’t I know it”
John 3:31-36, “ 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.“