Imprisonment and Death of John
Audio:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/NZMWxa4EwQ0?list=PL4ByrircmXL6qt2QplU6IudoOYVgzBS3C
The prophet John was the connecting link between the two dispensations. As God's representative he stood forth to show the relation of the law and the prophets to the Christian dispensation. He was the lesser light, which was to be followed by a greater.
John the Baptist had been first in heralding Christ's kingdom, and he was first also in suffering....the Messiah, He did nothing to effect John's release. How could He permit His faithful herald to be deprived of liberty and perhaps of life?
These questions were not without effect. Doubts which otherwise would never have arisen were suggested to John. Satan rejoiced to hear the words of these disciples, and to see how they bruised the soul of the Lord's messenger.
To the desert prophet all this seemed a mystery beyond his fathoming. There were hours when the whisperings of demons tortured his spirit, and the shadow of a terrible fear crept over him.
He determined to send a message of inquiry to Jesus.
The disciples came to Jesus with their message, Art Thou He that should come, or do we look for another? Matthew 11:3. As they stood wondering at His silence, the sick and afflicted were coming to Him to be healed. At last Jesus called them to Him, and bade them go and tell John what they had witnessed.
The disciples bore the message, and it was enough. John recalled the prophecy concerning the Messiah, The Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Isaiah 61:1, 2....Soon the head of John was brought in before the king and his guests. Forever sealed were those lips that had faithfully warned Herod to turn from his life of sin. Never more would that voice be heard calling men to repentance. The revels of one night had cost the life of one of the greatest of the prophets. The influence of John's teachings was not silenced; it was to extend to every generation till the close of time.
To many minds a deep mystery surrounds the fate of John the Baptist. They question why he should have been left to languish and die in prison. The mystery of this dark providence our human vision cannot penetrate; but it can never shake our confidence in God when we remember that John was but a sharer in the sufferings of Christ. All who follow Christ will wear the crown of sacrifice. They will surely be misunderstood by selfish men, and will be made a mark for the fierce assaults of Satan.