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.”

It will be

Matthew 2:19-23

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

21So [Joseph] got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

This large hybiscus opens itself to the world and delights those who will pause to look at it.
This large hybiscus opens itself to the world and delights those who will pause to look at it.

God is at work always to fulfill His word, and in particular His word of prophecy in Scripture. When God speaks light is created. Worlds are formed. Land, animals, birds, fish and man and woman appear. In Genesis this happens in a day. When God speaks through His prophets it seems to take longer.

Four hundred years  before Jesus was born God spoke through the prophet Hosea about calling His son out of Egypt. In that case it seemed to refer to God calling Israel out of Egypt (Matthew 2:15; Hosea 11:1). Sadly, Hosea tells us, Israel did not follow God as they should have. But now, centuries later God calls His Son out of Egypt and He comes. This time He will follow God perfectly; trusting Him wholly, never abandoning God – even when He was abandoned on the cross!

The reference to “He shall be called a Nazarene” is a bit more difficult to understand; There is not obvious Old Testament referent for this word of the prophets. In any case, however, Jesus is the fulfillment of all that God had commanded, ordained, prophesied, and promised.

Perhaps there is a Bible passage that is in your heart which you yearn to see the made true in your life. Though it may be long in coming; it will surely come to pass. God’s word is true. He is faithful. If He can fulfill His promises in a baby born in Bethlehem, taken to Egypt, raised in Nazareth, He can surely do it in His time in your life. This is not because you are better or your town more important; it is because God is faithful and true to His word. You can count on that. If God says it, it will be.

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