18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
24 When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written,
“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, 30 but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,
“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’
33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”
“What if I don’t recognize Him?” The question surprised and shocked me. I had never actually thought about it before. We were talking about the end of the world in my first parish and the little Bible study which met in people’s homes invited neighbors and friends, including some LDS neighbors and friends. We lived in Utah so you could not avoid having LDS neighbors and friends. And the LDS are very interested in the end of the world. This intense interest often led to unusual questions like this one. This was not an idle or silly question for the woman who asked it. She was honestly concerned. She thought Jesus might just show up and she might miss Him.
John, in his prison cell, having been arrested for pointing out the incestuous and adulterous marriage of the king, was wondering if he had missed the coming Messiah. He had proclaimed a Messiah whose axe was in his hand, ready to strike the root of the tree. He would baptize the people with fire. Was John wondering about the Jesus whose ministry was not so pyrotechnically inclined? Was he looking for a little more wrath of God action? We don’t know. This may also reflect John’s prophetic knowledge of his own death. Was John trying to redirect his disciples toward Jesus before his own death? Both are possible.
In any event, Jesus’ answer is very interesting. He does not point to things that look like what John had preached. He lists several good things: healing, cleansing, resurrection, and the proclamation of good news. Those are the signs that Jesus is the One, the long-anticipated Messiah.
I sometimes glibly answer the “How will I know it is Jesus” question with “He will be the guy with 10,000 angels on either side. Just count to the middle and that’s him!” But more likely he will be recognized for his healing, justice, peace, and joy. You will recognize him in that the reign he brings is so different from the power, rulers, and authorities you have ever known. In this Advent season we long for the arrival of our King and the kingdom He brings. Look at Jesus’ description of that kingdom and its King in this reading. That is how you will know Him.