A Jew named John was imprisoned in the dungeon of the occupying Roman power, under the rule of King Herod Antipas, circa 26AD. John was a social reformer, sent by God. Called to do a special, specific work, he wasn't sidetracked from it. By prophecy, by providence, he was to "give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in to the way of peace." Luke 1:76-79

John did his work well. Daily the crowds around John diminished, as more and more people took his advice and went to hear "Jesus of Nazareth" preaching. Feeling no envy or anxiety, John continued his work, reproving sins in all its forms, both in high places and in low. He had dared to rebuke even the King for living in adultery with Herodias, his brother's wife. "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." Ah, the ruling power actually made an effort at reform! But trying is not enough when it comes to resisting sin and reforming society. It is total surrender to God's will that is needed. Herod had a country to run, a woman to sleep with, lobbyists to keep pleased and paid up. A feeble attempt to break off his relationship with his femme fatale only tightened the strings of his heart, and he fell to her fancy, refusing to reform.

John's agitation of the subject landed him in prison. The adrenaline of his preaching ministry was gone. No more crowds, with their hungering questions and hopeful eyes. And no word from Jesus. No intervention. No miraculous deliverance. Nothing. Was Jesus really the Messiah? Could he be an imposter? Was John's whole life work in vain?

From the prison, John sent a delegation of his followers to Jesus, asking for an affirmation of both his mission, and also of that of Christ himself. Arriving at the place where Christ was working, they had to push through the crowds and finally they were able to ask Him, “Are you the One who has come to save us, or do we need to look for someone else? We want to know,” they said. “And John, your cousin, your "publicity manager," who is in danger of imminent execution, he wants to know too. Jesus didn't answer them immediately.

As they stood there, wondering at His silence, they couldn't help but be amazed at the work this man was doing in the crowds. "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 (emphasis, mine) Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard;…and blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Luke 7:22,23. And John wasn't offended. This answer was enough to fuel that great prophet's faith. He re-examined the scriptures and understood that he had been entertaining a wrong idea of "the Messiah." In memory's hall, he heard again the voice that came from heaven as he baptized his cousin Jesus. The scripture which Christ had quoted from Isaiah, regarding Himself, came pounding into John's searching mind:

 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because 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, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn…to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations." Isaiah 61:1-3

In his lonely prison cell, John learned what all learn who come to know God. His campaign promises are sure. His government is forever. He can give to everyone everything they need. Beyond that, He has the wisdom to know what we need.