While Jesus was going about all Israel and Samaria teaching and healing and telling others about God's message, John the Baptist was sitting in a Roman prison.
This prison was not like anything we have today. There was no lights or air conditioning. There were no books or outside time. There may not have even been a bed or toilet.
The Roman prison would be made of large, strong blocks. There would be some sort of door or gate. There would be guards. Maybe there was a window, if he were lucky.
It's likely that there were bugs or rats. And, he could have probably heard other prisoners as they were beaten or killed.
It was a lonely, dismal place. And, here John sat quite possibly for almost a year.
He probably heard the guards telling tales of things that were happening in the region. Maybe they spoke of the miracles that Jesus was performing. Or perhaps, he was able to have visitors and they told him about Jesus' ministry.
Somehow he got a message to some of his disciples.
Matthew 11:2-3- Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
John had sat in that lonely prison and had lost faith. Why was he there? He was the messenger of God sent to reveal the Messiah. But, had God forgotten about him? Why hadn't Jesus tried to free him?
He began to doubt.
The disciples took John's question to Jesus.
John 7:20 -When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
Jesus wasn't mad at John for asking. As a human he knew how hard it could be to have very little, and to feel the trouble and pain of life.
Luke 7:21-23- And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Why would Jesus tell him that he would be blessed if he were not offended? Could it be that John was offended that he was only used by God for a small purpose? Did John think that God had cast him aside after he fulfilled his calling?
Jesus knew something that we don't. He showed all the sign to the disciples of John and sent this message back.
Luke 7:24-25- And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.
Maybe some of the people who heard these things were wondering about John. So, Jesus asked those who had heard him preach and seen him baptizing what they were expecting when they went to see and hear John preach.
Did they go because they expected to see someone close to royalty? They weren't going to see that from a man who lived in the wild.
Luke 7:26-28- But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Jesus said that John was more than a prophet. He was not just someone who God chose to become a prophet; he was created by God as a prophet with a special message- the Messiah is coming.
Only three times had God created someone by sending an angel and telling the mother that she was going to have a child for a specific purpose. Do you know who those babies were? They were Samson, John the Baptist, and Jesus.
All three were born with a divine job. And, all three would die to accomplish that job.
Jesus said that John was the greatest prophet to ever be born.
Matthew 11:12-14- And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
God had prophesied that before the Messiah came He would send a prophet. He promised a specific prophet- Elijah. Do you remember Elijah?
Elijah came during the time of wicked Ahab and Jezebel. When God's servants were being killed, and the Israelites were worshiping Baal. Elijah stood against them. He called for a time of no rain, and was fed by the ravens while living by a brook. When the brook dried up he went to live with a Gentile woman who was kept alive by a miracle of never failing oil and corn meal.
Elijah was a rough, tough prophet who stood up for God when other prophets were hiding in caves.
And, the same bold spirit that Elijah possessed was in John the Baptist. If they would accept Jesus as their Messiah, then John the Baptist would fulfill the role of Elijah.
Matthew 11:16-19- But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Jesus knew that most of the Israelites, and especially the religious leaders, wouldn't accept neither Him nor John. John came as a wild prophet whom they denied and claimed that he was demon possessed. And when Jesus' ministry started and he was compassionate and gentle they said that He was a drunkard who ate too much and associated with lowlife's.
Jesus said that wisdom is justified of her children.
Luke 7:29- And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
Those lowlife's that the religious leaders were talking about were the ones who had been baptized by John. They were the ones who accepted Jesus as their Messiah. They were the children of wisdom!
God still had something for John to learn, or say. But, the time was coming that John's life on earth would end.
Do you remember how John came to be in prison?
Matthew 14:3-5- For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
He preached against the sin of Herod, and so he was arrested and thrown in prison. But, Herod didn't condemn him to death because he was afraid that the people would revolt.
However, some time had passed. Now that Jesus was preaching, some had forgotten about John.
Mark 6:21- And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;
Herod's birthday came around, and a nice banquet type party was thrown.
Herodias had kept what John said in her mind and had devised a way to get what she wanted. She told her daughter to go dance at Herod's birthday. If Herod was pleased with the dance he would offer a reward.
Herod was pleased, and he did offer a reward.
Mark 6:22-23- And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
Matthew 14:7- Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
He swore with an oath. That means he swore on his life, or on his god. His promise would be done or else evil would befall.
Always be careful what you promise, especially if you promise before you hear what you have to give!
Mark 6:24-25- And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
Oh no! Herod was sorry that he had made such a foolish promise. He promised her whatever she would ask and she wanted John the Baptist's head to be cut off and delivered to her on a serving platter!
Mark 6:26-28- And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
Herod didn't want to look like a fool for promising something and then taking it back. So, he sadly ordered the execution of John.
Mark 6:29- And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
His disciples found out that he had been killed, and they came to lay his body to rest. Perhaps his parents had already died, and they buried him in the family tomb. Or maybe, his father or mother were standing there crying watching their only son, their promise child be laid to rest. We don't know.
Matthew 14:12- And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
So, John the Baptist's life had ended. His disciples came and buried his headless body. Then, they went and told Jesus what had happened to his cousin.
As Jesus' fame started to spread, many came to tell Herod what was going on. Herod was scared! He thought that John the Baptist had risen from the dead!
Mark 6:14-16- And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.
Can you imagine how Herod must have felt? But, he was wrong.
Luke 9:9- And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.
Herod wanted to see Jesus. He wanted to know if it was John risen from the dead.
No! Not John. It was someone much worse for him. It was the Lord God Almighty come in the flesh.
And, one day, Herod will stand before Him and give an account for his life, and John's death.
