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.”

“I am willing.”

Matthew 8:1-4

1When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4And Jesus said to him,  “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

“Tangled Vines” © David Bahn
“Tangled Vines” © David Bahn

The leper who came to Jesus asking to be healed had it right: if Jesus was willing he could make him clean. Surely that same truth applies to us: If Jesus is willing he can heal us, find us a job, bring peace to a troubled family, bring home a wayward child. If only we could tap into that willingness of Jesus in our time of need! Surely the One who created the heavens and earth by his word could take care of our problems. Why is it that sometimes God seems to turn a deaf ear to us in our time of need?

Sometimes God answers our prayers with a simple yes; the disease is healed, the job is found, the check arrives in the mail at just the right time. Sometimes, however, God’s answers to our prayers serve another purpose: we are purified in our desires, strengthened in our dependence on Him, or put in a place by which we may glorify him more fully. Each of these answers serve to our benefit and our ultimate good.

The leper is told that he must not broadcast his healing, but go to the priest and make the offering commanded by Moses. The priest would certify his healing and provide evidence that the leper acknowledged God’s hand of blessing in his life. Perhaps this is the key to the fuller understanding of this story: Jesus’ healing miracle is not just about healing a man from leprosy, nor even about his willingness to act in this man’s behalf (as opposed to other lepers, for example). Jesus’ healing is a sign of God’s presence, and a foretaste of the perfect and complete healing that God’s people will experience in the world to come. Our ultimate good may include having a simple prayer request immediately answered. But it may well also be far more important and far-reaching than that. Jesus’ will was not only to heal the leper, but to confirm in the leper that Jesus is Lord.

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