Jesus Presents Evidence

So the day passed, with the disciples of John seeing and hearing everything. At last Jesus called them to Him and told them to go and tell John what they had witnessed, adding, “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” The evidence of His divinity was clear. His glory was evident in His condescension to our low condition.HH 94.6

The disciples carried the message, and it was enough. John remembered the prophecy concerning the Messiah:HH 94.7

“The Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives.”
Isaiah 61:1HH 95.1

The works of Christ declared Him to be the Messiah. Jesus was to do His work, not with the clash of weapons and the overturning of thrones and kingdoms, but through speaking to the hearts of men and women by a life of mercy and self-sacrifice.HH 95.2

The principle of the Baptist’s own life was the principle of the Messiah’s kingdom. But what was convincing evidence to him of Christ’s divinity would be no evidence to the leaders in Israel. John saw that the Savior’s mission could win only hatred and condemnation from them. He, the forerunner, was drinking of the cup that Christ Himself must drain to its dregs.HH 95.3

The Savior’s gentle reproof was not lost on John. Understanding more clearly now the nature of Christ’s mission, he yielded himself to God for life or for death, whatever might best serve the interests of the cause he loved.HH 95.4

The Savior’s heart went out in sympathy to the faithful witness in Herod’s dungeon. He would not leave the people to conclude that God had forsaken John or that his faith had failed in the day of trial. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see?” He said. “A reed shaken by the wind?”HH 95.5

Like tall reeds beside the Jordan, the rabbis who had stood as critics of the Baptist’s mission were swayed this way and that by the winds of popular opinion. Yet for fear of the people, they dared not openly oppose his work. But God’s messenger was of no such cowardly spirit. John had spoken with equal plainness to Pharisees, Sadducees, King Herod and his court, princes and soldiers, publicans and peasants. He was no trembling reed. In prison, he maintained the same loyalty to God. In his faithfulness to principle, he was firm as a rock.HH 95.6