按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
〃I am come in My Father's name； and ye receive Me not： if another shall come in his own name； him ye will receive。〃 Jesus came by the authority of God； bearing His image； fulfilling His word； and seeking His glory； yet He was not accepted by the leaders in Israel； but when others should come； assuming the character of Christ； but actuated by their own will and seeking their own glory； they would be received。 And why？ Because he who is seeking his own glory appeals to the desire for self…exaltation in others。 To such appeals the Jews could respond。
213
They would receive the false teacher because he flattered their pride by sanctioning their cherished opinions and traditions。 But the teaching of Christ did not coincide with their ideas。 It was spiritual； and demanded the sacrifice of self； therefore they would not receive it。 They were not acquainted with God； and to them His voice through Christ was the voice of a stranger。
Is not the same thing repeated in our day？ Are there not many； even religious leaders； who are hardening their hearts against the Holy Spirit； making it impossible for them to recognize the voice of God？ Are they not rejecting the word of God； that they may keep their own traditions？
〃Had ye believed Moses；〃 said Jesus； 〃ye would have believed Me： for he wrote of Me。 But if ye believe not his writings； how shall ye believe My words？〃 It was Christ who had spoken to Israel through Moses。 If they had listened to the divine voice that spoke through their great leader； they would have recognized it in the teachings of Christ。 Had they believed Moses； they would have believed Him of whom Moses wrote。
Jesus knew that the priests and rabbis were determined to take His life； yet He clearly explained to them His unity with the Father； and His relation to the world。 They saw that their opposition to Him was without excuse； yet their murderous hatred was not quenched。 Fear seized them as they witnessed the convincing power that attended His ministry； but they resisted His appeals； and locked themselves in darkness。
They had signally failed to subvert the authority of Jesus or to alienate the respect and attention of the people； many of whom were convicted by His words。 The rulers themselves had felt deep condemnation as He had pressed their guilt home upon their consciences； yet this only made them the more bitter against Him。 They were determined to take His life。 They sent messengers all over the country to warn the people against Jesus as an impostor。 Spies were sent to watch Him； and report what He said and did。 The precious Saviour was now most surely standing under the shadow of the cross。
（214）
Chapter 22
Imprisonment and Death of John
John the Baptist had been first in heralding Christ's kingdom； and he was first also in suffering。 From the free air of the wilderness and the vast throngs that had hung upon his words； he was now shut in by the walls of a dungeon cell。 He had become a prisoner in the fortress of Herod Antipas。 In the territory east of Jordan； which was under the dominion of Antipas； much of John's ministry had been spent。 Herod himself had listened to the preaching of the Baptist。 The dissolute king had trembled under the call to repentance。 〃Herod feared John； knowing that he was a just man and an holy； 。 。 。 and when he heard him； he did many things； and heard him gladly。〃 John dealt with him faithfully； denouncing his iniquitous alliance with Herodias； his brother's wife。 For a time Herod feebly sought to break the chain of lust that bound him； but Herodias fastened him the more firmly in her toils； and found revenge upon the Baptist by inducing Herod to cast him into prison。
The life of John had been one of active labor； and the gloom and inaction of his prison life weighed heavily upon him。 As week after week passed； bringing no change； despondency and doubt crept over him。 His disciples did not forsake him。 They were allowed access to the prison； and they brought him tidings of the works of Jesus； and told how the people were flocking to Him。 But they questioned why； if this
215
new teacher was 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。 Oh； how often those who think themselves the friends of a good man； and who are eager to show their fidelity to him； prove to be his most dangerous enemies！ How often； instead of strengthening his faith； their words depress and dishearten！
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。 He had declared to the people that in order for the way to be prepared before the Lord； the prophecy of Isaiah must be fulfilled； the mountains and hills must be brought low； the crooked made straight； and the rough places plain。 He had looked for the high places of human pride and power to be cast down。 He had pointed to the Messiah as the One whose fan was in His hand； and who would thoroughly purge His floor； who would gather the wheat into His garner； and burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire。 Like the prophet Elijah； in whose spirit and power he had come to Israel； he looked for the Lord to reveal Himself as a God that answereth by fire。
In his mission the Baptist had stood as a fearless reprover of iniquity； both in high places and in low。 He had dared to face King Herod with the plain rebuke of sin。 He had not counted his life dear unto himself； that he might fulfill his appointed work。 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 and him that cried。 But Jesus seemed to content Himself with gathering disciples about Him； and healing and teaching the people。 He was eating at the tables of the publicans； while every day the Roman yoke rested more heavily upon Israel； while King Herod and his vile paramour worked their will； and the cries of the poor and suffering went up to heaven。
216
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。 Could it be that the long…hoped…for Deliverer had not yet appeared？ Then what meant the message that he himself had been impelled to bear？ 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； 9）； that there would follow a deep…seated work of repentance and returning unto the Lord。 For the success of this mission his whole life had been sacrificed。 Had it been in vain？
John was troubled to see that through love for him； his own disciples were cherishing unbelief in regard to Jesus。 Had his work for them 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 memory of the voice from heaven and the descending dove； the spotless purity of Jesus； the power of the Holy Spirit that had rested upon John as he came into the Saviour's presence； and the testimony of the prophetic scriptures；all witnessed that Jesus of Nazareth was the Promised One。
John would not discuss his doubts and anxieties with his companions。 He determined to send a message of inquiry to Jesus。 This he entrusted to two of his disciples； hoping that an interview with the Saviour would confirm their faith； and bring assurance to their brethren。 And he longed for some word from Christ spoken directly for himself。
The disciples came to Jesus with their message； 〃Art Thou He that should come； or do we look for another？〃
How short the time since the Baptist had pointed to Jesus； and proclaimed； 〃Behold the Lamb of God； which taketh away the sin of the world。〃 〃He it is； who coming after me is preferred before me。〃 John 1：29； 27。 And now the question； 〃Art Thou He that should come？〃 It 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 coming to Him to be healed。 The blind were groping their way through the crowd；
217
disea