Today is Super Bowl Sunday, but for most of us the game has lost most of its glitter, and not just because the Broncos had a bad year.  It's mostly because other things seem to outshine its importance, like war, for instance.  It occurred to me that though undeclared, we're in a very real war for the survival of the free world.  This war on terrorism is just as important as World War II, for it is a war of civilization against those who would turn back the clock by centuries.  This is a war fought out of envy, jealousy and pagan religious fervor.

          Ask any soldier and they'll tell you they'd rather be fighting ten communist soldiers than one invisible, silent terrorist who hides behind civilians and cowardice.  Millions of people heard President Bush last Tuesday evening tell the truth like it has to be told.  Now is not the time to be playing politics, but to stand for the freedom on which our nation is founded.  Thank the Lord we have a leader who is unafraid to speak the truth.

          But, are you ready for some football?  Lots of people will be glued to their sets this afternoon.  Millions of eyeballs will reflect the light of whatever is being played, even if it's just the commercials which are usually more entertaining than the game itself.  I've often wondered if Jesus were among us today, would He join us this afternoon?  Would He approve of the Super Bowl?  Would He crack open a beer and nibble some chips with us?  Would He think this time was well spent, considering there's a world of people out there lost in sin?

          I'm not sure I can answer that to everyone's satisfaction, but I do know of a time when He was with His twelve team players, giving them something akin to a locker room pep talk about the Kingdom.  We call it His Sermon on the Mount, and besides the Beatitudes, some of His more memorable words are these:

          "You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  We've heard these words so often before, but listen carefully again to what Jesus is saying.  He's telling us we have purpose in life.  He's telling us what we're here for - to show others what we believe by what we say and do.  He's telling us all to reflect the light of our faith so others will know the Savior.  He's giving us a game plan for eternity.

          Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, the light no darkness can overcome.  But you and I are reflections of the Light.  Light, you know, is a wonderful thing.  It's the basis of all energy.  It makes things grow and gives life.  Light dispels darkness and shows what's been hidden.  Sin loves the darkness because it can do its sinful deeds without being seen.  Light takes away darkness and shows sin for what it is -- misery and sadness and blackness of the human soul.  You and I are here to receive the Light of Christ, and then pass it on.  We're here to dispel the darkness and direct the people to the "Light of the World."

          Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, the light no darkness can overcome.  We'll hear those words opening every Lenten service beginning Ash Wednesday (in just 10 days!), as we sing the "Holden Evening Prayer" service.  Today's Gospel tells us that you and I are to reflect the Light of God -- "Let your light so shine, that others may see your good works and give glory to God."  The moon may shine brightly on a clear night, but it has no light of its own.  It can only reflect the light of the sun.  So also we can only reflect the Son, Jesus Christ.

          A man with a large business was nearing the end of his career, and so tested his three sons to see which was worthy of taking it over.  He gave each of them ten coins and told them to buy something that would fill an empty room.  The first son purchased straw from a farmer that was cheap and available.  It filled the room a third full.  The second son purchased sticks of wood from a poor man and filled the room two thirds full.  The third son bought ten large candles, and merely lit them.  He got the business because he filled the entire room with light.

          Our Lord has given us all the light of faith to share.  When He says, "Let your light so shine,.." He does not leave us alone to do our work.  He knows that within us is the darkness of sin, so He pours the light of His love upon us that we might reflect His love in all we do and say.  He is the sun and we are the moon.  We reflect His light and strength to all around us.

          "Let your light so shine..."  I remember a Sunday School teacher saying this meant we show our faith by what we say and do.  Others see God in what we do - or else they won't!  Some church people think their sole purpose is to warn others about the shadows, as if pessimism is a gift of God.  Some even want to live in darkness - it's more natural.  Christ said, "Don't hide it - let it shine!"

          It's said there are two kinds of Christians - basement Christians and mezzanine Christians.  (They're also called dark Lutherans and happy Lutherans.)  Basement Christians think it's their job to criticize and point out the pitfalls.  If they're happy, they know it won't last.  If you're happy, you need to be warned.  They want to drag everyone else down where they are, in cynicism, anger and self-pity.  To them darkness is better than light.  But Mezzanine Christians want to lift others up.  They know there's sin, but they know Jesus has forgiven it, so they call out to those around to come up to where the view is great!  God loves you, so why're you such a sourpuss!  I once used this analogy and afterwards a member told me I needed to get my office out of the basement.  I took his advice and I love having a room with a view.

          Life is not just endless work and toil.  We have a purpose for living -- to let our light shine and show God's glory.  Whenever we show kindness, compassion, gentleness, sharing or caring, we're letting our faith shine.  Faith can only shine if it's on fire.  The Holy Spirit lights up our lives by faith in Jesus.  That's His purpose.  Then He empowers us to go out and light up someone else's life.  That's our purpose.  Today is Scout Sunday.  I always appreciate the positive attitude of scouts and their leaders.  They're shining lights in a dreary and dark world.

          When Karen, a young mother, found out another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Donny, prepare for a new sibling.  When they found out that the new baby was a girl, day after day, night after night, little Donny sang to his tiny sister inside his Mom's tummy.  When the labor pains came, serious complications arose and Karen found herself in hours of labor.  Finally, Donny's little sister was born, but barely alive.  The days inched by and the tiny girl got worse.  The pediatrician finally said, "There's little hope.  Be prepared for the worst."

          Karen and her husband had fixed up a special room for the new baby but now found themselves planning a funeral.  Donny, however, kept begging his parents to see his sister.  "I want to sing to her," he kept saying.  Week two in intensive care looked more grim than ever.  Donny kept nagging, "Please let me sing to her," but children were not allowed in ICU.  One day Karen made up her mind.  She took him to the hospital and marched him into ICU.  The head nurse saw the child and bellowed, "Get that child out of here!  No children are allowed."  But mild-mannered Karen, rose up and said, "He's not leaving until he sings to his sister!"  She towed Donny to his sister's bedside and he began to sing.  "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray..."

          Immediately the tiny girl responded.  Her rapid pulse began to slow and become more regular.  "Keep on singing, Donny," said his Mom.  "You never know, dear, how much I love you.  Please don't take my sunshine away."  As he sang, the baby's strained breathing became smoother.  "Keep on singing, Donny!"  And as he sang his little sister began to relax as healing rest seemed to sweep over her.  "Keep on singing, Donny."  And he did.  All day!  And the next, the very next day, the little girl was awake and full of life.  The staff called it a miracle.  Karen called it God's love!

          That's the power of God alive and working!  That's letting your light shine!  You and I do reflect the Light of the World.  He's our loving Savior who cares.  His Light comes from His love and forgiveness for us in the cross of Calvary.  He died but now He lives.  People hate Him but He keeps loving them.  We may scowl, but He keeps smiling.  God loves us in His Son, so how can we be Basement Christians?  Reflect the light, people, because Christ is the Light!

          But our batteries won't last forever - they need recharging.  We must recharge them in God's Word and regular worship.  Christian fellowship is the best recharger of all.  Avoid worship and you risk dying.  You and I need more than a little worship now and then.  We need the Word every day, to energize us and remind us of His love.  God's Word isn't an option we take or leave.  We need it if we want to live!

          Gideons are businessmen who distribute New Testaments to people all over the world.  A Gideon named Joe led a Bible class that Mark attended briefly.  When Mark quit coming Joe visited him, but Mark refused to discuss Jesus.  Joe lost track of Mark, but years later read that Mark was in prison, on death row for committing murder.  Joe drove 750 miles and miraculously was allowed to visit Mark.  "You don't give up, do you?" Mark said, and again he refused to discuss Jesus, but Joe left him a Gideons New Testament.  A few years later he received a letter from Mark.  He wrote he'd finally read that Testament and had turned his life over to Jesus.  He also wrote how he was studying the Bible and had helped organize a prison Bible study group.  His final words were bitter-sweet.  He knew he was going to die soon, but he wanted Mark to know that so far 47 inmates and one journalist had come to faith in Jesus because of that group.

          Mark eventually died, but for a time he let his light shine.  And because he did, many now live in eternity.  Friends, don't be basement Christians - the world has enough of them.  Share the joy of being God's people.  And keep on singing!  Share your joy in song, sing a melody at home, hum your tunes at work.  Smile and let people wonder what you're up to!  Amen

Copyright © 2002 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.