The story of John the Baptist is pretty familiar to many of us. He was there to baptize Jesus and was also related to Jesus. However, did you also know that John actually had doubts about who Jesus was? As hard as that sounds, that seems to be what our Gospel reading is saying. John sends some to disciples to ask Jesus if he is the one who is to come or should they expect someone else. Not a question you would expect someone like John the Baptist to ask.

Jesus responds to John’s disciples by showing his works. Look at the blind that have received their sight. Look at the lame that walk. Jesus says to John’s disciples, "Go tell John what you have seen and heard." The implication being that John will understand. I bet John did understand, but he wanted to be sure.

At the hearts of John’s doubts, I believe, was that Jesus was not the kind of Messiah that many expected. Many expected Jesus to be a conqueror. Some to ride into Jerusalem on a war horse and retake the city for the Jewish people. However, what they got was a Messiah who rode on a donkey and was crucified on a cross. Not the kind of Messiah that people expected. Maybe John had a hard time reconciling the Jesus who teaches and heals with other expectations of what a Messiah should be.

John is still a called servant of God. Jesus makes that clear when he says that no one is greater than John. John’s mission, however, was different from Jesus’. For John was sent to prepare people for the coming of Jesus. He did this through some harsh preaching. A few weeks ago we read how John reacted to the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to see what he was all about. John calls them a "brood of vipers" and warns them to repent. John probably said similar things to others. All this was to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus.

Jesus’ mission was one of forgiveness. He forgave the people of their sins. John helped them to recognize their sins. Jesus forgave them. John and Jesus had the same mission, but they focused on different things.

Have we ever had doubts? Have their been times that we have wondered just who Jesus is? For many, doubting is seen as wrong and that we must always have faith. I am not going to say that doubting is right, but will say that doubting is part of being human. John the Baptist started to have doubts about Jesus, and we know what a great man he was. So how can we ever expect to go through life without doubts?

Doubting tends to come when things are most difficult in life. Notice that John is in prison when he doubts Jesus. In our own lives, our doubts may come when things are not going our way, or times are difficult. It is often tempting to ask God, why is this happening? If God is good, then why do bad things keep happening?

Jesus answers our doubts in a similar way that he does John doubts. Jesus does not get defensive and argumentative, like many would be tempted. Instead Jesus says, "Look at what I have done." Jesus says the same to us. Look at what he has done. For Jesus has been with us throughout our lives. Anytime we have suffered, and God’s presence has comforted us, that is what Jesus has done. Anytime that our sins have been too great to bear, and Jesus’ words of forgiveness have lifted that burden from our shoulders that is what Jesus has done. Sometimes we expect so much, that we forget the simple things that Jesus has done in our lives.

This Christmas, it is a good time to remember all the things that Jesus has in our lives. When John the Baptist asked Jesus, "Are you the One?" Jesus answered by simply saying, "Let me show you what I have done." That is Jesus’ answer for us. Jesus has always been with us. Jesus will continue to be with us no matter our circumstances in life. Jesus does not draw attention to himself by boasting, but by continually working on our behalf.