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ssessing secular as well as ecclesiastical authority。 Though now subordinated by the Roman governors； it still exercised a strong influence in civil as well as religious matters。
The Sanhedrin could not well defer an investigation of John's work。 There were some who recalled the revelation made to Zacharias in the temple； and the father's prophecy； that had pointed to his child as the Messiah's herald。 In the tumults and changes of thirty years； these things had in a great measure been lost sight of。 They were now called to mind by the excitement concerning the ministry of John。
It was long since Israel had had a prophet； long since such a reformation as was now in progress had been witnessed。 The demand for confession of sin seemed new and startling。 Many among the leaders would not go to hear John's appeals and denunciations； lest they should be led to disclose the secrets of their own lives。 Yet his preaching was a direct announcement of the Messiah。 It was well known that the seventy weeks of Daniel's prophecy； covering the Messiah's advent； were nearly ended； and all were eager to share in that era of national glory which was then expected。 Such was the popular enthusiasm that the Sanhedrin would soon be forced either to sanction or to reject John's work。 Already their power over the people was waning。 It was becoming a serious question how to maintain their position。 In the hope of arriving at some conclusion； they dispatched to the Jordan a deputation of priests and Levites to confer with the new teacher。
A multitude were gathered； listening to his words； when the delegates approached。 With an air of authority designed to impress the people
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and to command the deference of the prophet the haughty rabbis came。 With a movement of respect； almost of fear； the crowd opened to let them pass。 The great men； in their rich robes； in the pride of rank and power； stood before the prophet of the wilderness。
〃Who art thou？〃 they demanded。
Knowing what was in their thoughts； John answered； 〃I am not the Christ。〃
〃What then？ Art thou Elias？〃
〃I am not。〃
〃Art thou that prophet？〃
〃No。〃
〃Who art thou？ that we may give an answer to them that sent us。 What sayest thou of thyself？〃
〃I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness； Make straight the way of the Lord； as said the prophet Esaias。〃
The scripture to which John referred is that beautiful prophecy of Isaiah： 〃Comfort ye； comfort ye My people； saith your God。 Speak
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ye comfortably to Jerusalem； and cry unto her； that her appointed time is accomplished； that her iniquity is pardoned。 。 。 。 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness； Prepare ye the way of the Lord； make straight in the desert a highway for our God。 Every valley shall be exalted； and every mountain and hill shall be made low： and the crooked shall be made straight； and the rough places plain： and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed； and all flesh shall see it together。〃 Isa。 40：1…5； margin。
Anciently； when a king journeyed through the less frequented parts of his dominion； a company of men was sent ahead of the royal chariot to level the steep places and to fill up the hollows； that the king might travel in safety and without hindrance。 This custom is employed by the prophet to illustrate the work of the gospel。 〃Every valley shall be exalted； and every mountain and hill shall be made low。〃 When the Spirit of God； with its marvelous awakening power； touches the soul； it abases human pride。 Worldly pleasure and position and power are seen to be worthless。 〃Imaginations； and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God〃 are cast down； every thought is brought into captivity 〃to the obedience of Christ。〃 2 Cor。 10：5。 Then humility and self…sacrificing love； so little valued among men； are exalted as alone of worth。 This is the work of the gospel； of which John's message was a part。
The rabbis continued their questioning： 〃Why baptizest thou then； if thou be not that Christ； nor Elias； neither that prophet？〃 The words 〃that prophet〃 had reference to Moses。 The Jews had been inclined to the belief that Moses would be raised from the dead； and taken to heaven。 They did not know that he had already been raised。 When the Baptist began his ministry； many thought that he might be the prophet Moses risen from the dead； for he seemed to have a thorough knowledge of the prophecies and of the history of Israel。
It was believed also that before the Messiah's advent； Elijah would personally appear。 This expectation John met in his denial； but his words had a deeper meaning。 Jesus afterward said； referring to John； 〃If ye are willing to receive it； this is Elijah； which is to come。〃 Matt。 11：14； R。 V。 John came in the spirit and power of Elijah； to do such a work as Elijah did。 If the Jews had received him； it would have been accomplished for them。 But they did not receive his message。 To them he was not Elijah。 He could not fulfill for them the mission he came to accomplish。
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Many of those gathered at the Jordan had been present at the baptism of Jesus； but the sign then given had been manifest to but few among them。 During the preceding months of the Baptist's ministry； many had refused to heed the call to repentance。 Thus they had hardened their hearts and darkened their understanding。 When Heaven bore testimony to Jesus at His baptism； they perceived it not。 Eyes that had never been turned in faith to Him that is invisible beheld not the revelation of the glory of God； ears that had never listened to His voice heard not the words of witness。 So it is now。 Often the presence of Christ and the ministering angels is manifest in the assemblies of the people； and yet there are many who know it not。 They discern nothing unusual。 But to some the Saviour's presence is revealed。 Peace and joy animate their hearts。 They are comforted； encouraged； and blessed。
The deputies from Jerusalem had demanded of John； 〃Why baptizest thou？〃 and they were awaiting his answer。 Suddenly； as his glance swept over the throng； his eye kindled； his face was lighted up； his whole being was stirred with deep emotion。 With outstretched hands he cried； 〃I baptize in water： in the midst of you standeth One whom ye know not； even He that cometh after me； the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose。〃 John 1：27； R。 V。； margin。
The message was distinct and unequivocal； to be carried back to the Sanhedrin。 The words of John could apply to no other than the long…promised One。 The Messiah was among them！ In amazement priests and rulers gazed about them； hoping to discover Him of whom John had spoken。 But He was not distinguishable among the throng。
When at the baptism of Jesus； John pointed to Him as the Lamb of God； a new light was shed upon the Messiah's work。 The prophet's mind was directed to the words of Isaiah； 〃He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter。〃 Isa。 53：7。 During the weeks that followed； John with new interest studied the prophecies and the teaching of the sacrificial service。 He did not distinguish clearly the two phases of Christ's work；as a suffering sacrifice and a co