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.”

On Display

Matthew 3:16-17

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

These bowls adorn the side of a building in Calvert, Texas.
These bowls adorn the side of a building in Calvert, Texas.

Jesus’ baptism is certainly an important event in the life and ministry of Jesus; that is made obvious by the fact that Matthew, Mark, and Luke recount the event, and John refers to the Holy Spirit’s presence and sign at the time of Jesus’ baptism. There’s something going on here worthy of note. Jesus’ baptism gets more coverage than His birth!

Clues abound. John protests the impropriety of it all: Jesus should baptize him. John the Baptist points to Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). Once Jesus is baptized the heavens are opened. The Holy Spirit comes and remains on Jesus. And a voice booms out, “This is my Son…”

We sometimes put things on display. We want others to see our wares that are for sale. We like to show off our creative efforts. We seek to express an opinion. We want to encourage a particular point of view. And sometimes – in the excitement of the moment – we are carried away and we jump up and shout it out.

On this day of Jesus’ baptism it is as though the Heavenly Father can contain Himself no longer: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” He rips heaven open. He watches the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus. He sees the water dripping from Jesus chin. He takes it all in and He simply must comment. Much like the final commentary on creation – before the fall – when God pronounced all that He had made to be very good, He now expresses His profound pleasure in Jesus and what is unfolding here. His Son is now on display – for all to see – and there is a proud Father in heaven who wants the world to know it.

A drama is ready to unfold. The main actor has stepped onto center stage. A dramatic intervention is now afoot. The hero will soon take on the old evil foe. He will win the battle at a great price. But for now we can be certain who the hero is. He is Jesus, the Son of God.

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