Doubt Doesn’t Mean Defeat

John the Baptist was no ordinary man. He was chosen by God to prepare the way for the Messiah. He lived out in the wilderness, wore camel’s hair, and ate locusts and wild honey. But more than that—he preached repentance without fear and baptized people, even Jesus Himself.

He was the one who boldly declared in John 1:29, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

But something changed. After all that boldness, after pointing people to Jesus, we find John sitting in a prison cell. He had spoken out against Herod, and now he was facing the consequences. Alone, waiting, probably wondering what was going to happen next.

And in that dark place, something very human came out.

He sent two of his disciples to Jesus with a question:

Luke 7:19 says, “Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, ‘Are You the Expected One, or are we to look for someone else?’”

That hits hard. This is the same man who leapt in the womb when Mary came near with Jesus in her belly. The same man who saw the heavens open and the Spirit descend like a dove. But here he is, asking if Jesus really is the One.

Some say John was asking for the sake of his disciples, not himself. Maybe. But Jesus’ response seems to speak to something deeper. He doesn't rebuke John. He doesn’t call him weak. Instead, He says: Luke 7:22-23: “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: people who were blind receive sight, people who limped walk, people with leprosy are cleansed and people who were deaf hear, dead people are raised up, and people who are poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is anyone who does not take offense at Me.”

That’s a powerful answer. Jesus could have said, “Yes, I’m the One.” But instead, He points to the evidence. He points to prophecy being fulfilled—just like Isaiah said would happen. It’s like He’s gently reminding John, “You didn’t get it wrong. Everything is unfolding just as it should.”

And then Jesus turns to the crowd and says something that still stops me in my tracks:

Luke 7:28: “I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

John had just questioned who Jesus was… and Jesus calls him the greatest man ever born.

That tells us something huge. Doubt doesn’t disqualify you. Questions don’t cancel your faith. Even the boldest believers can have moments of weakness. And Jesus doesn’t shame us for it—He reassures us with the truth.

John may have been sitting in a prison cell—but Jesus was still healing, still saving, still preaching. God’s plan was still moving forward.

Maybe you’re in a season where things aren’t looking how you thought they would. Maybe you’ve stepped out in obedience, but now you feel stuck, confused, or even let down.

You’re not alone. Even John—the one who prepared the way—had to ask, “Lord… is this really You?”

Just like John, we may face moments where doubt creeps in. We may question if we’re on the right path, or if God is really at work in our lives. But the story of John the Baptist reminds us that doubt doesn’t mean defeat. Jesus doesn’t leave us in our questions—He meets us where we are, offering truth, reassurance, and grace.

Even when we don’t fully understand, we can trust that He still answers.

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.”

I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.

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I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. (1 Timothy 1:12)