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  EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS ON LUKE - LUKE 7:18-23
  by J.C. Ryle
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JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST

The message which John the Baptist sent to our Lord, in these verses, is
peculiarly instructing, when we consider the circumstances under which
it was sent. John the Baptist was now a prisoner in the hands of Herod.
"He heard in the prison the works of Christ." (Matt. 11:2.) His life was
drawing to a close. His opportunities of active usefulness were ended. A
long imprisonment, or a violent death, were the only prospects before
him. Yet even in these dark days, we see this holy man maintaining his
old ground, as a witness to Christ. He is the same man that he was when
he cried, "Behold the Lamb of God." To testify of Christ, was his
continual work as a preacher at liberty. TO SEND MEN TO CHRIST, was one
of his last works as a prisoner in chains.

We should mark, in these verses, the wise fore-thought which John
exhibited about his disciples, before he left the world. He sent some of
them to Jesus, with a message of inquiry--"Are you he that should come,
or do we look for another?" He doubtless calculated that they would
receive such an answer as would make an indelible impression on their
minds. And he was right. They got an answer in deeds, as well as words,
an answer which probably produced a deeper effect than any arguments
which they could have heard from their master\

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/jc-ryle/expository-thoughts-on-luke-luke-718-23/
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