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In Prison for Christ’s Sake, September 28
Matthew 11:1-6
;
Matthew 14:3
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him,
but also to suffer for his sake.
Philippians 1:29
.
John the Baptist had been first in heralding Christ’s kingdom, and he was
also first in suffering.... He was now shut in by the walls of a dungeon cell.... As
week after week passed, bringing no change, despondency and doubt crept over
him. His disciples did not forsake him.... But they questioned why, if this new
teacher was the Messiah, He did nothing to effect John’s release....
Like the Saviour’s disciples, John the Baptist did not understand the nature
of Christ’s kingdom. He expected Jesus to take the throne of David; and as
time passed, and the Saviour made no claim to kingly authority, John became
perplexed and troubled.... There were hours when the whisperings of demons
tortured his spirit, and the shadow of a terrible fear crept over him. Could it be
that the long-hoped-for Deliverer had not yet appeared? ...
But the Baptist did not surrender his faith in Christ.... He determined to send
a message of inquiry to Jesus. This he entrusted to two of his disciples.... The
disciples came to Jesus with their message, “Art thou he that should come, or
do we look for another?” ... The Saviour did not at once answer the disciples’
question. As they stood wondering at His silence, the sick and afflicted were
coming to Him to be healed.... While He healed their diseases, He taught the
people....
Thus the day wore away, the disciples of John seeing and hearing all. At
last Jesus called them to Him, and bade them go and tell John what they had
witnessed.... The evidence of His divinity was seen in its adaptation to the needs
of suffering humanity....
The disciples bore the message, and it was enough.... The works of Christ not
only declared Him to be the Messiah, but showed in what manner His kingdom
was to be established.... Understanding more clearly now the nature of Christ’s
mission, he [John] yielded himself to God for life or for death, as should best
serve the interests of the cause he loved
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The Desire of Ages, 214-218
.
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