Matthew 11:7 says, 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?  The disciples of John the Baptist went back to give their report to him.  He was still in prison.  We might have expected Jesus to have freed John the Baptist from prison, but He did not.  Sometimes, we may be left in dangerous situations as we witness for Christ, but if we are, we simply need to remember that this life is but temporary and salvation through Christ is forever.  Not all sickness is healed nor are all those who are imprisoned for their faith in Christ set free in this world, but they are all healed and set free in the everlasting world to come.  Verse eight asks, But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.  Jesus asked those who had gone out into the wilderness what they expected to see when they saw John the Baptist.  If they were expecting to see someone who wavered in his beliefs, they would be disappointed.  John the Baptist was steadfast in his message, and did not waver even when imprisoned.  We must be just as steadfast today.  Jesus also asked if they thought John the Baptist would be clothed in soft or fine cloth.  Jesus further stated that soft or fine cloth was for the king's house.  We are not called to follow Christ for the fine things in life, but instead are called to take up our cross daily.  Verse nine asks, But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.  Jesus asks again why they went out to see John the Baptist.  Did they go out to see a prophet of God?  Some people may come to hear a preacher today simply because they are curious about him, but if that preacher is true to his calling he will simply point them to Jesus.  Verse ten states, 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 was the messenger that would point people to Jesus, as had been foretold in the scripture.  If we are followers of Christ today, we are the messengers who are to point people to Jesus also, though it is after He fulfilled His purpose.  We, like John the Baptist, can only point people to Jesus.  Verse eleven says, Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  Jesus said that even though there had been no greater mortal man than John the Baptist that anyone who was even the least in the kingdom of heaven was greater than John the Baptist was.  I believe this means spiritually greater than he was by his physical nature.   Verse twelve declares, And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.  After John the Baptist started preaching repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah, the kingdom of heaven, or of God, began to suffer violence, and it has continued since.  Verse thirteen states,  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.  The prophets before John the Baptist could only prophesy under the law, but after him they would prophesy under the grace of God.  Verse fourteen says, And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.  The people of Israel were looking for Elias, or Elijah, to come again to proclaim the arrival of the Messiah, and Jesus said that John the Baptist was spiritually the one they were looking for, if they only would believe, or understand, that fact.  John the Baptist was in no way a reincarnation of Elijah, but was like Elijah spiritually.  Verse fifteen states, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.  If we would know what God wants us to do and what He is doing in the world today, we simply need to listen to Him.