David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

recent posts

about

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.”

Who has it all?

I like things: computers, cameras, lenses, BBQ grills, TVs…the list goes on and on. But I try to live with this in mind: “He who dies with the most toys still dies.” Jesus, however, points out something here that we do well to keep in mind: All things have been given to him.

"Vivid Blue Wildflower" © 2010 David Bahn
"Vivid Blue Wildflower" © 2010 David Bahn

Matthew 11:27

[Jesus says,] “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

These particular words of Jesus here in Matthew 11 are easily glossed over; he goes on to invite the weary and heavy laden to come to him and find rest. Jesus’ words continue, “take my yoke upon you…” Matthew 11:28-30 is my confirmation verse, and the passage my pastor used as a text at my ordination. So it’s easy for me to miss this word of Jesus.

Jesus has been given all things. Lest we forget, God has established quite clearly in the Psalms: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). The cattle on a thousand hills belongs to him. His is the gold and silver. Our very lives are in his hands. We labor under the false belief that we own things. We do not. They all belong to God. And the Father has given them all to his Son.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, as he gave the Great Commission, Jesus reminded his disciples that all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to him. And here’s the delightful turn centered in these truths: He has promised that we will receive all we need to support this body and life. Not only that, but Jesus promises that those who leave family and wealth, house and possessions for his and the gospel’s sake will receive 10o times more in this life and eternal life in the world to come (Mark 10:28-30).

Jesus has been given all things so that he can provide all things to us, his people. When we die we have an eternal hope beyond having had all the things we want. We have the promise of an eternity filled with all good things given to us by the One who was given all things: Jesus Christ our Lord. A good reminder for us all.

Discover more from David Bahn – Reflections

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Posted in

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.