Is Jesus the One? Learning to Wait with Joy

From a dark prison cell, John the Baptist sent his disciples to Jesus. He sent them to ask if he was the one they had been waiting for. In a very real sense, the Gospels invite us to ask the same question. Who is Jesus?

Jesus tells John’s disciples to look at the mighty works taking place and to compare them with what Isaiah foretold. The eyes of the blind are opened. The ears of the deaf are cleared. The lame leap like a stag. The tongue of the mute sings. It is certainly true that Jesus performed these works during his earthly ministry. Yet he is still performing them today. Through the work of the Holy Spirit our eyes are opened to the truth of the Gospel. We hear the call to discipleship. We walk the path of sanctification. We proclaim the Gospel with our lips.

Isaiah also promised that all creation would one day be renewed. The desert would exult and the dry lands would bloom. That renewal began with the Incarnation, but it has not yet reached its fullness. For this reason the Apostle Paul urges us to be patient, just as a farmer must be patient while his crops grow and mature for the harvest.

The world is like that field, slowly growing and preparing for the final harvest that will come when the Lord returns. We are that crop, and we prepare by making our hearts firm. We are told not to complain about one another. We are invited to take the prophets as our example. They endured hardship with patience and with hope. We are called to do the same.

Right now, during Advent, we should be filled with joy. We know that our King is coming. We await the celebration of his first coming in the quiet of Bethlehem. But we also await something even greater. His return will mark the end of all suffering. His return will bring eternal joy, where every tear will be wiped away.

We need to be ready to welcome him, just as Israel was being prepared to welcome the Messiah. Even now many do not recognize the hidden King who dwells among us in his Church. Yet he comes to bring good news of great joy.

The psalmist begged the Lord to come and save us. He has come, and he will come again. So how do we respond to this news? We remember to be patient. We prepare for the return of the Bridegroom. We ready our hearts to enter into the joy of the Master.