Sermon Library
“You Are The Light”
Rev. Dr. Gregg R. Anderson
June 12, 2011
Service Theme: Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost Sunday June 12, 2011
You Are the Light
Denominations Changing Light Bulbs
The theme this morning, this Pentecost Sunday, is a continuation of Sermon on the Mount series this year entitled, “You Are the Light” or “You are the Light of the World.” I could not help myself but to begin with some old jokes about how different denominations change a light bulb.
How many evangelists does it take to change a light bulb?
Only one, but the bulb must repent of its darkness and be willing to be changed.
How many liberals does it take to change a light bulb?
Ten, but they will need to debate whether or not the bulb actually exists. Even then, they still may not change it, for fear of alienating those who use florescent bulbs.
How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?
None. God has predestined when the lights will be on and off.
How many Roman Catholics does it take to change a light bulb?
None. They use candles.
How many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?
At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and two or three committees to approve the change. Oh, and also one to provide a casserole.
How many Independent Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?
Only one, because any more than that would mean cooperation.
How many Episcopalians does it take to change a light bulb?
Three. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was.
How many Mormons does it take to change a light bulb?
Five. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.
How many Amish does it take to change a light bulb?
What’s a light bulb??
How many Unitarians does it take to change a light bulb? (and this is my favorite)
We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship with your light bulb, and present it next month at our annual Light Bulb Sunday Service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way bulbs, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.
Different Interpretations
The scripture this morning is a classic. You are the light of the world. Yet, just as there are different ways to change a light bulb, there are different interpretations to this seemingly straight forward metaphor. The very second sentence in the beginning of the Bible is “Let there be light.” Ever since then we have had a pretty good idea what the image of “light” has meant throughout the Hebrew and Greek scriptures. Light is good and darkness is bad. That being the basic understanding of light, it is still understood with various emphases.
Without going into too much detail, one way to interpret this text is to suggest that Jesus wanted us to be morally and ethically perfect. We are to be the light means that we are to be exemplary of human behavior and without fault. I have read several sermons about this text in the past couple of weeks. There are a number of them which interpret this text to mean that we are to be some sort of infallible bright shining light and example. As a human being I had a difficult time identifying with this approach.
Fortunately there were other sermons which were more humane and understanding. To be the light of the world was not so much about some sort of perfect pietism as it was to simply apply the previously stated qualities of the Beatitudes. Such as blessed are the poor in spirit; those who mourn; the meek; who hunger and thirst for righteousness; the merciful; the pure in heart; the peacemakers; and the persecuted.
This was the precise preface to Jesus statement about being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. It is not about being “holier than thou,” but to simply be and to live the Beatitudes the best that we can. Furthermore, immediately following the statement about being the light of the world, Jesus reminds us that no one can be perfect. It has been said that no one should kill another, but I say unto you that even if you have anger toward your brother you are doing the same. Some people would interpret this as being more perfect than perfect, while others would more accurately understand this statement as a realization that no one can be perfect. This is how Martin Luther understood this part of the Sermon on the Mount when he said that we are all saints and sinners. Jesus will work with people who are just people; not perfect people, but just people. We all fall short of the mark.
Motley Crew
In fact, Jesus was addressing a pretty motley crew. Here was a group of common farmers and fishermen and tax collectors and housewives in a tiny and remote village in an obscure part of the world and Jesus was saying to them, “You are the light of the world.” Talk about a statement of faith! It must have sounded absurd at the time even to them. Only Jesus could have seen that through this motley crew God would indeed change the world forever.
Jesus did not say that if you do this and do that then you will be the light of the world. Somehow he accepted them as they were knowing their faults and inadequacies. Jesus said to them, in essence, that it is not the high and mighty who are going to carry the spiritual message forward, but the low and humble. Jesus made a big difference, not just by being perfect, but mostly by embracing those who were not perfect. Jesus included the Gentiles into the Kingdom of God. He expanded faith beyond his Jewish heritage and legalistic expectations.
A Reflection
A number of other sermons stated that we are not the light, but we are mere reflections of the light of God or the light of Jesus. We are not the sun, but the moon. This may be an appropriate interpretation, but nevertheless Jesus did not say that we are to be reflections. He simply said, “You are the light.” I think it means we are to do our part.
A Compliment
It is really a compliment. Perhaps Jesus was motivating these disciples and others to realize a potential within themselves that they would not realize on their own. You can be more than you think. Did Jesus have more faith in them than they had in themselves? Could this have made a difference in spreading the good news? Gospel means good news.
One of the sermons on this text included this story about Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton who had not won a game in eight weeks. A critical press was suggesting that he be dropped from the starting lineup. The future looked bleak, and Sutton felt terrible. Then, before a game, Dodgers manager Walter Alston tapped him on the shoulder. “I’d like to speak with you, Don,” he said. Sutton prepared himself for the worst. “Don,” said Alston, “I know how the past couple of months have been for you. Everyone’s wondering whether we can make it to the play-offs . . . You know there’s a lot of pressure . . . I’ve had to make a decision.” Sutton had visions of being taken off the mound. Then Alston continued. “If the Dodgers are going to win this year,” he said, looking Sutton in the eye, “they’re going to win with Don Sutton pitching. Come what may, you’re staying in the starting job. That’s all I wanted to say.” Sutton’s losing streak lasted two more weeks, but because of his manager’s encouragement he felt different about it. Something in him was turning around. He found himself pitching the best ball of his career. In the National League pennant drive, he won 13 games out of 14. There are all kinds of theories about how to motivate people. We can do it through guilt, through fear, through shame. But these were not Jesus’ methods. Jesus motivated through positive messages of hope and encouragement.
Responsibility
“You are the light of the world” means that ordinary people can do some extraordinary things. And just think what those motley disciples did accomplish. They played an initial role in literally changing the world. Being the light also means that we do have a responsibility. Light serves a purpose. It lights up the darkness.
Mother Teresa was asked by a reporter after she spoke to a large group of people how she could possibly do all that she has given. She simply said, “I give them Jesus.” Next she said, “And Jesus said that we are the light of the world.” The book that was published which exposed some of her challenges and even doubts, but what she has achieved is indisputable. Some people have even criticized her questions and doubts, but most people have realized even more what a human hero she really was. I think it is interesting that the name of this book which reveals the inner thoughts of Mother Teresa is entitled, “Come Be My Light.” The title is based on one of her last quotes which was “If I ever become a saint, I will surely be one of ‘darkness.’ I will continually be absent from Heaven — to light the light of those in darkness on the earth.”
I have not talked too much about the rest of the text this morning which is, “A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Chapel as a Lighthouse
This Sunday in the lectionary year is called Pentecost Sunday. It is about the birthday or origin of the Christian church. I am not sure how to say this and I do not think I have ever mentioned it before, but I have had this quiet thought now and then that I would like to think that the steeple on this Chapel which sits on a hill at the entrance to Aspen is like a light house for Aspen. When one can look over the city of Aspen from another hill, the steeple stands out. I first had this thought looking up at the steeple at night when it was snowing and the snow was sticking to the steeple which made it brighter.
I hope that the Chapel has been a light to a number of people in Aspen in various ways. I certainly know that when I think of the steeple as a light house, I am often reminded that it is part of the purpose of the Chapel in Aspen. The Chapel has had it’s challenges, but hopefully its intent and purpose is to shed light to those who have walked through its doors and as one photograph of the Chapel in a photographic book underscored, “The Aspen Chapel – a constant reminder of man’s spiritual existence.” Amen.
Gregg R. Anderson, Chaplain – Aspen Chapel, Aspen Colorado