In today’s Gospel, we hear of John the Baptist—imprisoned, uncertain, and longing for assurance. He sends his disciples to Jesus with a question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” It is a profoundly human moment despite John’s divine calling. Even John, the fiery prophet who prepared the way, wrestles with doubt. And in his question, we find our own questions echoed: Is Jesus truly the one? Can we trust him with our lives, our hopes, our future?
What was Jesus’ Response? Notice how Jesus answers. He does not give a simple “yes” or “no.” Instead, he points to the evidence of God’s kingdom breaking into the world: The blind see. The lame walk. Lepers are cleansed. The deaf hear. The dead are raised. The poor receive good news.
Jesus invites John—and us—to look at what is happening, to see the signs of God’s authority happening, and to recognize that Jesus’ authority is not defined by power or force, but by healing, mercy, and hope.
Then Jesus turns to the crowd and speaks of John. He honors him: “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” But, again, he points people to a different honour that the world doesn’t understand about Jesus and his authority. He adds something surprising: “The least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist.” This is not to diminish John, but to highlight the radical nature of God’s kingdom.
Greatness is not measured by status, achievement, or what the world understands as power. It is measured by belonging to Christ and being part of the new creation he brings.
So what does this mean for us today? In means having faith in what might seem uncertainty: St James gives the same encouragement when he says: Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. Like John, we may face times of doubt or confusion as to what God is doing. Jesus does not scold John for asking questions. Instead, he offers reassurance. Our questions are not signs of failure but opportunities to understand Jesus more deeply.
Jesus calls us to notice where God’s kingdom is breaking into our worlds—through acts of kindness, healing, justice, and love. John the Baptist couldn’t see that. All he could see was the 4 walls of his prison. In a world often marked by despair that is sometimes all that we see. It’s easy to see the wars, the violence, the natural disasters.
John’s question arose from imprisonment and uncertainty. Our questions about God can come from our suffering. These questions can be invitations to move deeper into God’s truth. Jesus meets John’s question with mercy, with evidence, and with a gentle invitation to trust the signs. Very similar to how Jesus meets doubting Thomas – not with rebuke for his doubts but with an invitation to delve deeper into the mysteries of God. Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe
So too, with John the Baptist, Jesus points us to different signs. Signs that remind us that Jesus is at work. God’s works are often larger and different to our expectations. The Kingdom comes with healing and good news to the poor, not with physical triumph or political power.
When we expect an earthly breakthrough we might miss the more ordinary, daily miracles of mercy, mercy that forgives, that restores relationships, that provides for those in need, that includes the outsider and the vulnerable. We are called to see the acts of mercy and grace God is weaving in ordinary days. True greatness is not about being first, strongest, or most successful. It’s not about everything always going our way. It is about humility, service, and trust in God. Even the “least” in the kingdom shares in the immeasurable gift of Christ’s love.
As we journey in faith through this Advent season, let us remember John’s question and Jesus’ answer. When we wonder, “Is Jesus truly the one?”—we need only look at the signs of life, hope, and love that surround us. We need to look again at the Christmas revelation in John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. That is true greatness. That is the true work of Jesus Christ our Lord. As we go out this day let us take time to see where in your life is God inviting you to trust more fully?
Are you clinging to an expectation of how God should work, rather than embracing how God is choosing to work? Are there people you might overlook whom the Kingdom is blessing in hidden ways—the poor, the outcast, the quiet servants in your community?
So let us live as witnesses to that kingdom, exampling patience, mercy, and joy, so that others may see in us the evidence that Christ is indeed the one who has come, and who is still coming into our world today and in whom we can place our trust. As St James encourages us: Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
