Matthew 11:2-11
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Authentic
adjective
1. Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief.
2. Being so in fact; not fraudulent or counterfeit.
3. Executed in a manner so as to produce legal effectiveness.
I have a bit of a challenge with authenticity. I don't always say what is really on my mind because I worry about if someone can handle it; however, the more I hold back, the more frustrated I become, and so then I let it out, and someone's feelings get hurt, or somebody gets cussed out. So, I have to balance being real, being true to myself, and not steamrolling everyone I'm around.
But we all struggle with this in one shape or form. We want to be authentic, and we want to be authentic naturally. I remember when people started saying the phrase "keep it 100," meaning they wanted someone to be 100 percent authentic. Being authentic also meant you did not have to tell someone you were telling the truth; it should come naturally. Andre 3000 said in the song Walk it Out remix, "walk it out like an usher if you say real talk, I probably won't trust you.
Companies everywhere are sensing that consumers gravitate toward brands that appear to be authentic and genuine. Starbucks is popular because it imitates original Italian espresso bars. BMWs Mini taps into people's natural desire for joy and freedom on the road. Organic foods are flying off the shelves because consumers sense that they are connected to farming practices that are healthy and good.
I believe authenticity is one reason the church won't grow. People outside the church know enough people on the inside are fake. We hug people and then talk about them behind their backs at brunch. We are quiet in the meeting, only to have a bunch of stuff to say in the meeting after the meeting. People see that; they may not say anything, but they see it.
We find ourselves looking at a story about authenticity in scripture with the story around Matthew chapter 11.
The Request
John made a request of Jesus. John sent messengers to see if Jesus was the one, or should we search for another? John was worried and confused in jail for speaking the truth to power. John wondered if he was following the right person. I don't blame John for wondering if he was following the right savior; if we are being real, we wonder the same thing. God, I don't understand; I thought this was the job you had for me, but it seems like everyone in here has lost their mind. I thought this spouse was forever, but I don't know if we will make it to next Friday. Encounters with Jesus regularly left people confused. Not only did people get confused looking for Jesus, people got confused and made a fake Jesus when they couldn't find or did not like the real one.
How else can so-called evangelical Christians wholeheartedly support putting people in power with no morals? Claim to love all God's children, but if they come out a shade or two darker than you are comfortable with, there is a problem. Claim to love God but allow his children to be in danger by going to school, playing in a park, or starving on the street. Some people don't like the real Jesus that demands a fundamental change in their lives and some uncomfortable times, so they make up one to make themselves feel better. I don't blame John for being confused because some people are even more confused today. The Kingdom of God is not always comfortable and will require some sacrifice.
The Reassurance
Jesus responds with a track record. Being authentic, Jesus responds with what he has done. Jesus does not respond with a bunch of titles; Jesus responds with action. I ask the church what have we done? Does the community know we exist? Does the community know we exist if we take away the one or two big programs we do a year and then pat ourselves on the back? Are we using Christianity for anything more than fire insurance to ensure we don't burn when we die? Have we gotten so focused on our personal relationship with Christ that we don't have any room for anything else? Christianity is about action, and Christianity is about community.
Jesus being authentic, also didn't gossip about John behind his back once the messengers left. Jesus had good things to say about John. Jesus said John was the last and greatest of the old-school prophets. Jesus asked the people what they were looking for. They would not find nice robes here; they would not find a reed, which was a shot a Herod. Herod had coins printed with the image of a reed on them. Not only did Jesus speak well of John in his absence, but he also called out the person persecuting John as well. That is the mark of a real friend, how they treat you when you are not around.
John is the messenger foretold by the Old Testament's Malachi, the one who will prepare the way for the Authentic Messiah. John is not a royal yes-man in soft robes but is "like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi" (Malachi 3:1-3). John accomplishes this mission by calling people to repentance and baptizing them to cleanse them of their sins.
Likewise, if we want to be Authentic Disciples, we will align ourselves unequivocally with Jesus and his distinctive, even radical, way of life. "Let your light shine before others," says Jesus to his followers, "so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven" (5:16). An authentic relationship with Christ calls for community and calls for action. We cannot wait for someone else to do the work of the Kingdom; we must be willing to do it ourselves.
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