For the last six months, I have read about a work of Richard Wurmbrand a month. I find his story and life fascinating. Wurmbrand was a Lutheran pastor in Romania during the communist occupation, and was imprisoned for a total of 14 years. He later founded the organization called The Voice of the Martyrs. In his book, If Prison Walls Could Speak, he shares some of his sermons that he composed during his three years of solitary confinement. In one of them, he shares a story that makes a great stepping stone into our Gospel text and theme for today. In his sermon, he shares the strange custom of Rabbi David Talner. Before Talner would pray, he would read the fan mail that he received. When the famous Rabbi was asked, “Why?”, he gave this answer. “The more renowned a man is, the more difficult is his struggle against besetting evils thoughts in prayer. So I always read my letters first. Usually, they begin by addressing me as a righteous rabbi, a teacher, a leader, a holy man, or by some other complimentary phrase. Then I begin my prayer by saying, ‘Lord, you know that I do not deserve these titles of honor. But since so many men believe me to be so in all sincerity, do not put their faith to shame. Make me become what they believe I am.” Perhaps a modern equivalent might be those bumpersticks that read: “Make me the person my dog thinks I am.” But Wurmbrand finishes his use of the story by saying, “This is the reason why we/I read the Bible before praying. Through the Bible, not men, but God Himself, speaks to us the most beautiful and undeserved words, ‘Ye are the salt of the earth. Ye are the light of the world….’” Simply put: God speaks what we are. You are salt. You are light. This morning, we’ll take a look at just one of those realities: “You are the light of the world.”
“You are….” How would you answer this question: “Who am I?” Personally, I have always struggled with this question when having to write biographies for forms, scholarships, and interviews. I never know quite what to put, or how to describe myself. Self-consciously, I worry I might sound bland, or boring. When you are asked that question, what things might you use to describe yourself? Would you use a relationship? “I’m the oldest of five, a husband, and a father.” Would you share a hobby or passion? I’m into the Minnesota Twins, fishing, and gardening. Would you mention your musical taste? Perhaps you like classic 80s rock, or modern rock, like U2 or Coldplay. Maybe you like classical music, country, or pop. Perhaps you might say your favorite foods, education, places you have lived, your political party, or religion (which is often a big part of us). There are a variety of ways and avenues to answer.
Now, how might others answer the question about you. Maybe, they might say some good things, like you are nice, caring, dependable, supportive, and punctual. Or maybe, they might say some not so good things about you: stubborn, immature, difficult to live with, a jerk, or always late.
How might you really answer the question? If we pulled back the curtain of outer appearances, and you could be honest, and vulnerable, what might you say? Would you say, “Lonely?” Depressed? Broken? A failure? Purposeless? Worthless? A phony? Worry-wart? Unlovable? Unloved? Forgotten? Unnoticed? We have a lot we could say.
How does Jesus answer that question? In Christ, God gives us our identity. He declares it in His Word, at His Supper, in our baptism, and in the service. Jesus speaks what we are, and that is what we become. Remember the words of Genesis 1? God said, “Let there be…and there was.” God’s Word does what it says. It is the same for us. Jesus speaks what we are, and that is what we become? And what is that?
Try these: Forgiven. Child. Mine. Cared for. Precious. Valuable. Dear. Loved. God’s people can NEVER say they are worthless, useless, unloved, or a waste of space. That would be to call God a liar. This is not what we are in Jesus. That is not what He says you ARE. He says, “You ARE light.” Not sort of, maybe, or was. He says ARE. That is present tense. That is now. That is our starting point. Let’s flesh this identity out.
“You are…the light….” In art, contrast is when you can see a big difference between two things that are right next to each other. Think of the stars in Vincent Van Goh’s “Starry Night,” or the colors in the background of Edward Munch’s famous painting, “the Scream.” (You know, the one where the guy is screaming on a boardwalk at sunset.) The contrast of colors helps to create depth, and distinct differences. By setting opposites next to each other, you can see the differences clearer. This approach is helpful here. Let’s set “light” next to its opposite, “darkness,” to better see the contrast between the two.
In Scripture, darkness is associated with our fallen condition, evil, danger, ignorance, sin, and death. Generally the case outside of Scripture, too. And so, what is light than associated with? In Scripture, light is associated with the opposite of those things. That would be our new nature/condition, good and goodness. It means safety and security. Light goes with knowledge, holiness, and life. So, what do we make of this? How are we light? A good childhood friend had a shirt that depicted it well.
Growing up, my friend KJ had a shirt that read: “Be the Moon” and below the saying was a picture of a full moon. Any idea to why his shirt said that? The back of his shirt gave the answer. It read: “Reflect the sun.” The moon has no light of its own. It only reflects the light of the sun. As Christians, we are to be like the moon. Reflect the Son! We reflect Jesus’ light. We reflect His goodness, righteousness, and life that He gives to us. We reflect His light, and that light is seen in His work in us, and through us. That is how and why we are light: because of Him. He is simply shining through us.
Jesus continues. “You are…the light…of the world.” And He explains what the point of light is. “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.” A glowing city on a hill cannot be hidden; it can be seen for miles. No one lights a candle only to cover it. Light is meant to be seen. That is why the city is on a hill. That is why the candle remains uncovered. You let the light shine to be seen by others!
Jesus tells us the importance and benefit of letting our light shine. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works….” Luther explains this well by saying, “What [Jesus] calls ‘good works’ here is the exercise, expression, and confession of the teaching about Christ and faith….shining is the real job of believing or teaching, by which we also help others to believe.” A few months ago, a shut-in depicted this perfectly.
I had called to schedule a visit, and after we picked a tentative time, she changed her mind, and said, “Could you come on Wednesday, instead? I have a caretaker who is a Muslim, and I think it would be great to have our visit as a witness to her. Hopefully her overhearing us might spark something, or create a conversation.” I said, “Sure, that sounds great.” And she tries to schedule future visits when her non-family caretakers are there. On our last visit, we discovered one of them was a Lutheran like we were and that she belonged to our sister Oromo congregation. We let the light shine through our lives, words, actions, and witness to see the true Light of the world, Jesus.
But He is not done speaking about the benefit of light. He continues: “…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven.” I remember being home one day after my sister had received a chemo treatment, and she was around two at the time. I remember dropping something, and needing to pick up a bunch of pieces. As I did, I saw a little hand: hers. She came over to help, even though she wasn’t feeling well. The help wasn’t much, but the thought was. I never forgot her doing that. I was thankful for a good sister. The world needs good Christian daughters, brothers, mothers, and grandfathers. It needs good Christian doctors, nurses, soldiers, mechanics, accountants, businessmen, coaches, first responders, fast food workers, and teachers. Our good deeds and faithful service in these spheres bless our neighbor and bring praise to God.
Have you ever had a moment where you praised God for something that someone has done for you? A moment where you said, “Thank God for Tammy, or Elijah, or William.” Where might others be able to say the same of you? What might that look like in your life? How might our place in our family, or status as a neighbor, employee, or citizen impact this? Does an elderly parent need help getting groceries? Does a sick child with the sniffles need some extra patience and cuddles? Does a sibling who is stuck in a rut need a word of encouragement? Does the person in the wheel chair at Dollar Tree need the door opened for them, or that random person walking out of Walgreens need a friendly smile? Might the beggar on the corner need a dollar? Is there someone we can pray for? Is there someone we can share a word of hope with? How can the light of Jesus shine through us in a dark world? How can His light in us lead others to Him and give thanks for His work in us?
We won’t do this perfectly, but as Wurmbrand said: “Through the Bible, not men, but God Himself, speaks to us the beautiful and undeserved words, ‘You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world….” What a beautiful identity in Him. Amen.