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.”

Self-shaped spirituality

What if we took God’s word seriously? What if we didn’t just pick and choose the most convenient verses, or if we didn’t scour the Bible looking for those ideas that aligned with our sensibilities? What if we let God’s word shape us rather than using God’s word to prop up our self-shaped spirituality?

"Inner Strength" © 2010 David Bahn
This rebar will add inner strength to the grade beam forming the outside perimeter of the chancel and sacristy area of the worship center at St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.

Matthew 12:1-8

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3He said to them,  “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

Twice in these few verses Jesus asks, “Have you not read…” Of course the Pharisees had read these words; they were biblical experts, priding themselves on keeping every law – down to the finest detail. They just didn’t think these verses applied to Jesus or his disciples. They simply dismissed them; these examples made no sense to them. So Jesus underlines the inadequacy of their approach to faith and life by challenging their understanding of Scripture: “And if you had known what this means…”

I think I’m OK in regard to this passage. I get that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. I believe that he is greater than the temple. I understand, I think, what it means the God desires mercy and not sacrifice. Overall I seek to let God’s word shape my faith, rather than looking for convenient Scripture passages to shore up what I believe. But I strongly suspect that I might have my blind spots. I truly do want God’s word to shape my faith and my heart. For Jesus is not just Lord of the Sabbath; he is King of kings and Lord of Lords.

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.