Jesus lifted his arms to pray. It seemed to Simon that Jesus was praying specially for him when he asked the Heavenly Father to send the Holy Spirit upon them all. As they left the place of prayer, Simon and Andrew dropped behind the others. "What I cannot understand," said Andrew, "is how he knows all these things. Where did he learn it all?" "It is strange," agreed Simon. "You would almost think he came down from heaven, wouldn't you?" [Illustration] 8. HE IS MORE THAN A TEACHER Far away to the south, John the Baptizer was imprisoned in King Herod's fortress at Machaerus. Through the bars of his tiny window he could see the green waters of the Dead Sea far below and the rocky hills of Judea beyond. He did not expect to lie in this dungeon long. At any moment the Day of Judgment might come; God would send hosts of angels to punish wrongdoers and to reward his faithful servants. John listened intently to the news that his followers brought about Jesus. They told him all that Jesus did: his demand that all men should repent; the new teaching about the Kingdom of God which was the talk of men everywhere. John was amazed at the power Jesus had to heal many sick people; he was glad when he heard that Jesus was not afraid of the Pharisees. But as days passed, doubts began to creep into the Baptizer's mind. Could God have chosen this man to deliver His people? John could not understand why the deliverance did not come. Jesus was training only a handful of disciples to preach. It would take more than that to bring God's great day. At last the Prophet sent two messengers to Jesus. "Our Prophet, John the Baptizer, has sent us to ask a question," said the leader. "Are you the One whom God has sent to judge the wicked and justify the faithful?" This very question was stirring in the minds of the disciples. Why did Jesus not tell them plainly who he was? "Are you the Messiah of God?" repeated the man. "Or should we look for someone else?" "You know what I teach," answered Jesus. "You have heard about the things that I do. Go back to John and tell him that the eyes of the blind are opened; the lame walk; lepers are cleansed--the good news that God is present among men is declared to everyone who will listen." "But, Rabbi," said the puzzled leader, "what shall we tell the Prophet? Are you truly the Messiah?" "How do you expect to know the Messiah?" asked Jesus. "What will he do that you will recognize him?" The men did not answer. "Isaiah the Prophet said: 'Here is my servant, my Chosen One. He will not be loud and noisy: He will not raise a great shout in public. He will not break a bent sapling or even blow out the tiniest lamp flame!'" The followers of John murmured to themselves. "The Messiah--coming silently?... You say he won't even break a twig?" The ideas seemed to escape them, slipping away as soon as they were spoken.