Matthew 11:7-10 "And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee."
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness wearing rough garments of camel’s hair and a leather belt (girdle). John’s appearance was similar to the description we have of Elijah (Elias in the Greek language) found in 2nd Kings 1:8. John was well-known among the Jews and considered by them to be a prophet. Because John was held in regard by the people, Herod was afraid to have him executed (Matthew 14:5), so he was holding John in prison.
Jesus sent John’s disciples back to him with a reminder of all that Jesus had done, ending with the fact that the poor had the gospel preached to them. As John’s disciples departed, Jesus turned to the multitude and spoke to them concerning John. Although Jesus poses several questions here, it was not in order that He might gain information but rather to cause the people to examine themselves.
Jesus reminded them that they did not go seek out John because of some simple everyday occurrence (a reed blown about by the wind). They did not expect to find someone of soft living who might elevate their own status (as though he were some royal figure). They went out to see a prophet likened unto Elias (Elijah).
Yet, John was much more than a prophet. He was the very forerunner of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist declared Jesus to be “the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29).” It was John the Baptist who saw the Spirit descend upon Jesus in the form of a dove (John 1:32). It was John the Baptist who declared “I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God (John 1:34).
Dear ones, the Holy Spirit may call on us to examine ourselves from time to time and ask what we are going out to see as we journey through this life. There are many everyday events that might attract our attention and are of no more benefit than a reed trembling in the breeze. We often like to look at and desire a life that we think is more comfortable than the one we have. What we really NEED to see is the Lamb of God that has taken away our sin. May we, like John the Baptist, bear record that this is the Son of God!