One day when John was in prison his disciples came and told him that
they had heard that JESUS was working a great many miracles and that His
fame was spreading all through the country. At Capharnaum He had healed
a centurion's servant, and at Naim He had raised a widow's son to life;
and the people were all glorifying God and saying: "A great prophet is
risen up among us, and God hath visited His people" (St. Luke VII). This
news sounded like music in John's ears; it was just what he wanted; it
was a proof that his life's work had not been in vain: "He _must_
increase." The disciples however who brought the news did not take at
all the same view of the case. They were not pleased that another should
take the place of their master while he languished in prison. John knew
that had they been quite sure that JESUS was the Messias, such thoughts
could have had no place in their minds, and so to strengthen their
faith he sent two of them to JESUS with the question: "Art thou He that
art to come or look we for another?" hoping no doubt that they might see
some miracles for themselves, or at any rate that personal contact with
JESUS would clear away their doubts.
See the beautiful humility of John's character, there is no thought for
himself; he is only anxious still to point out the Lamb of God and to
remove all obstacles from His path in the hearts of all; he is still the
voice crying with no uncertain sound. It happened (not by chance) that
just when the two disciples arrived many miracles were being worked by
JESUS, and in answer to their question, which they were probably now
rather ashamed to put, He said: "Go and relate to John what you have
heard and seen;" and He added: "Blessed is he whosoever shall not be
scandalized in Me." Surely after that the disciples could never again
stumble in their faith, and it must have been with joy in their hearts
that they told their master of all they had seen and heard.