David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

Gates & Ways

Cross-topped Gate
Cross-topped Gate

This cross-topped gate opens into a small family plot in the Mandeville, Louisiana Cemetery. Just as the gate is the legitimate way into that area, and is topped with a cross, the cross of Jesus is the only way into the kingdom of God and the way to eternal life.

Cindy Newkirk writes:

Jesus declares, “You know the way to where I am going!”  Thomas blurts out, ““Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” This statement/question is not surprising based on Jesus words and the disciples’ confusion in the preceding chapters of the Gospel of John.  Jesus replied, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.”  Jesus, the great I AM, who was and is and is to come!  Jesus, the great I AM, who was there before the foundations of the world and was the word of God in creation.  Jesus, the great I AM.

I’ve so often gone by this exchange between Jesus and Thomas that I had missed until today the simple logic and directness of Jesus’ answer to Thomas’ question, ” [Because] we don’t know where you’re going, how can we know the way?” Jesus says, in effect, “You don’t need to know where you’re going; I’ll get you there.” Of course that’s reassuring only if  you really love and trust Jesus.

But if we do love and trust Jesus, we’re truly satisfied with his answer. We may say, “I don’t know how I’m going to get through this day! I don’t know how it’s going to end, and the troubles I face are ready to destroy me!” Jesus says, “Don’t worry about what the day will bring, I’ll get you through it. [I am the way.]”

The analogy of the grave gate breaks down, however, when you see the size of the fence of which it is the opening. A fairly agile person could easily hop over it with little trouble. Making it through a difficult day is not simply a matter of agility, however. And making it into the kingdom of God is impossible on our own strength. Only Jesus will get us there, for only He went the way of the cross for our sins.

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One response to “Gates & Ways”

  1. Diane Bahn Avatar
    Diane Bahn

    I was struck by the highlighing of the word “where.” It made me realize that Jesus answered that question, too. He said, “no one comes to the Father except through me.” It is “to the Father” that he is going and that is to be our ultimate destination as well. It helps put all our earthly destinations, detours, dead-ends, successes, and failures in perspective–if we recognize that Jesus is the way and stay connected to him, he will get us to our destination–to the Father. That’s what really matters.

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