John the Baptist spent his whole ministry pointing to Jesus. He proclaimed, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" He baptized Jesus in the Jordan. He witnessed the Spirit descend from above, and heard the Father's voice declare, "This is my Son.". Few people in Scripture received such clear confirmation of Christ's identity. And yet, in today's reading, we find John sitting in Herod's prison, uncertain, troubled, and asking one of the most honest questions in the Bible: "Are You the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?"

John's question doesn't come from unbelief but from suffering. The Messiah was supposed to bring justice, restoration, and God's reign. But here he sits—locked in a cell, waiting for death. His reality does not match his expectations. And that tension drives him to ask what many believers have quietly asked in times of trouble: "Lord, are You really the One? Are You really working in my life? Are You really present in this mess?"

Notice how Jesus responds. He doesn't rebuke John. Instead, He sends back evidence anchored in Scripture:

The blind receive their sight.

The lame walk.

Lepers are cleansed.

The deaf hear.

The dead are raised.

The poor have good news preached to them.

These are the very signs Isaiah said the Messiah would bring. Jesus is saying, "John, look at what Scripture promised—and now look at what I am doing. Yes, I am the One."

This is good news for us when we battle with doubt or disappointment. Jesus meets doubters not with anger, but with assurance. He invites them to examine His works, His promises, and His faithfulness. He points us not to our feelings but to His Word.

And Jesus has not stopped doing these things. He continues to give sight to the blind—opening our eyes through His Word. He still heals—restoring sinners by His forgiveness. He still raises the dead—granting new life in Baptism and promising resurrection on the Last Day. He keeps preaching good news to the poor—speaking comfort through us to all the world.

When doubts come—and they will—go to where John went. Turn to Jesus. Listen to His Word. Look at His works. See His cross and empty tomb. He is the One. And blessed are those who are not offended by Him.