Dear Christian friends:

Today is Super Sunday and almost everyone in the USA is very excited about the Super Bowl football game this afternoon.

Some of those men who will play in the Rose Bowl this afternoon are superstars: Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris and Lynn Swan of the Steelers and Wendell Tyler and the two Youngblood brothers of the Rams, and perhaps a few others.

Our text tells about another Superstar, Jesus Christ. Almost ten years ago in 1970 two men, Andrew Webber and Tim Rice wrote and produced a rock opera called JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. I doubt if any of you saw it, but I think you read about it and heard about it. I hope sometime we can do it in sign language. It is very beautiful singing about Jesus Christ the one great Superstar.

I think that we often get too excited about football stars and movie stars and rock stars. They are not as great as Jesus Christ. Their fame lasts only a few years. After that few remember them.

But look at Jesus Christ. He has been famous for 1,980 years! Jesus Christ has many, many, many more fans than Terry Bradshaw or Elvis Presley. Many, many of Jesus' fans are now in heaven with Him. And here on earth Jesus has millions of fans, some from every nation on earth. Jesus Christ has been a Superstar for almost 2,000 years now and He will be a Superstar forever in heaven.

Today we are excited about football superstars, but really they are not very important. We should be excited about Jesus Christ. He is the real Superstar:


In our text John the Baptist tells why Jesus Christ is the real Superstar. John says,"He (Jesus) has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else." (verse 31)

In the Gospel lesson we read how Jesus and His disciples and His mother Mary went to a wedding celebration in Cana of Galilee. When the newly married couples' wine was all gone, Jesus felt sorry for them and changed their water to become wine. Six stone jars, each holding 30 gallons of water became wine, 180 gallons. Jesus showed His love and concern for the newly married couple. He didn't want them to be embarrassed and not have enough wine for all the guests.

Jesus also had another purpose in His mind when He did that miracle. He wanted to prove to His disciples and also to us that He really is God's Son, who came from heaven, that He really is God's Superstar.

We read in the Gospel lesson, “His disciples believed that He really was the Messiah." (John 2:1-11) We should believe in Him also!

John the Baptist gives another reason why Jesus Christ is the real Superstar. He says, “All who trust Him - God's Son - to save them have eternal life." (verse 36)

Jesus loved us sinners and died for us on the cross. He then arose from death on Easter morning so that we can have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. We love Him and worship Him and praise Him. That's why millions and billions of people are His "fans" and He is their Superstar.

Jesus Christ has won a great victory for us, the greatest victory of anytime in history! This afternoon Terry Bradshaw may win for the Steelers. That will be a great victory. Many people will praise him and honor him. But I ask you - is his victory really very great? Is it really very important? Not really. Perhaps the Rams will win. Many people in Los Angeles area don't care for the Rams anymore. They failed many times before, and now they are moving to Anaheim. Who cares if the Rams win or lose? Not many. Really, if they get the victory it is not very important.

But Jesus' victory is the most important victory. His victory on the cross over sin, death, Satan all enemies of God - His victory gives us eternal life. Be a Jesus fan!

Jesus Christ Superstar has won, and all who join His team will win with Him. "All who trust Him - God's Son - to save them have eternal life." (verse 36a)

Today, don't be too excited about the Super Bowl. Get excited about Jesus Christ the real Superstar. Renew your faith in Him! Rejoice in Him and praise Him! Promise anew that you love Him and serve Him.

If you get too excited and too interested in football stars or movie stars or rock stars you may lose your faith in the real Star. John warns about that in our text. He writes: "Those who don't believe and obey Him shall never see heaven, but the wrath (anger) of God remains on them." (verse 36b)

So today and everyday, get excited about Jesus Christ. Give attention to Him! Praise Him! He is the real Superstar!

Amen.