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Imprisonment and Death of John
125
rebuke of sin. And now from his dungeon he watched for the Lion
of the tribe of Judah to cast down the pride of the oppressor and to
deliver the poor. But Jesus seemed to content Himself with healing
and teaching the people. He was eating at the tables of the publicans,
while every day the Roman yoke rested more heavily on Israel, while
King Herod and his vile paramour worked their will, and the cries
of the poor and suffering went up to heaven.
A Terrible Disappointment
All this seemed a mystery. The whisperings of demons tortured
John’s spirit, and the shadow of a terrible fear crept over him. Could
it be that the long-hoped-for Deliverer had not yet appeared? John
had been bitterly disappointed in the result of his mission. He had
expected that the message from God would have the same effect as
when the law was read in the days of Josiah and of Ezra (
2 Chronicles
34
;
Nehemiah 8
), that there would follow a deep work of repentance.
Had his whole life been sacrificed in vain? Had his work for his
own disciples been fruitless? Had he been unfaithful in his mission,
that he was now cut off from labor? If the promised Deliverer had
appeared and John had been found true to his calling, would not
Jesus now overthrow the oppressor’s power and set free His herald?
But the Baptist did not surrender his faith in Christ. The voice
from heaven, the descending dove, the spotless purity of Jesus, the
power of the Holy Spirit that had rested on John as he came into
the Saviour’s presence, the testimony of the Scriptures—all testified
that Jesus was the Promised One.
[139]
John determined to send a message to Jesus. This he entrusted
to two of his disciples, hoping that an interview with the Saviour
would confirm their faith. And he longed for some word from Christ
spoken directly for himself.
The two disciples came to Jesus with their message: “Art Thou
He that should come, or do we look for another?” The question
was keenly bitter and disappointing to human nature. If John, the
faithful forerunner, failed to discern Christ’s mission, what could be
expected from the self-seeking multitude?
The Saviour did not at once answer the disciples’ question. As
they stood wondering at His silence, the sick and afflicted were