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.”

Look No Further

Matthew 3:16

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,  and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

This painting was done during the 3-D Ministry Taster Event in Pawley's Island, SC. The artist was kind enough to allow me to take a photo of it. This is a low-res version not intended to be used without the artist's permission. For more information contact them at info@3dministries.com.
This painting was done during the 3-D Ministry Taster Event in Pawleys Island, SC. The artist was kind enough to allow me to take a photo of it. This is a low-res version not intended to be used without the artist's permission. For more information contact them at info@3dministries.com.

Sometimes we make it more difficult than it needs to be: whether it’s a decision at work, responding to a family need, or where to go for lunch. Sometimes, however, the decisions are much more far-reaching: whom to marry, whether to switch careers, or whether we are going to ask a particular person to join us for lunch. A family will be formed, a business decision will bring financial risk; a new relationship begun.

When it comes to faith in Jesus, however, it’s not so much the decision (that’s a gift of God’s Holy Spirit) as it is abiding in that decision and dealing with the far-reaching implications of Jesus’ claims to be the Son of God. On top of all that, Jesus claims to be the only way to the Father. That’s when we can get uncomfortable. It sounds so narrow-minded or feels judgmental to some to stand on that truth.

There are several reasons to hold to the faith that Jesus is the only way to the Father:

  • He is the only one who has come from the Father to die for the sins of the world. If there was another way for our salvation to be won than Jesus’ death on the cross, then the Father in heaven is a cruel masochist to cause Jesus to suffer so.
  • He is the only one who has died and then risen from the dead. What greater testimony to His unique identity – like no other.
  • He is the complete fulfillment of all that God had promised in the Old Testament. No one else comes close to embodying the promises and prophecies of God.
  • There is good news here, too: if Jesus is the only way to the Father, the only name given among men by which we must be saved, then we need look no further.

After Jesus’ baptism heaven is opened and God says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” We need look no further. This is the One. On Him hangs the hopes and dreams of the Heavenly Father. In Him is life, light and salvation.

Look no further than Jesus today for your deepest needs to be met and your greatest dreams to be realized!

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