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.”

Center Stage

Sometimes our lives are more than what happens to us; our impact deeper than we realize. We are not just pawns in the cosmic battle of good and evil. But our actions or experiences may have ripples that reach farther than we can see. What may seem minor to us might in fact be more far reaching than we realize. And what may be most important to us might be ignored by others. Consider the demon-possessed man in this encounter.

Poppy
This wild poppy grew in our back yard from a packet of seeds Diane planted this spring.

Matthew 12:22-32

Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

I wonder what the blind and mute man thought as the people around him reacted to his good fortune. All the people were amazed, Matthew tells us. But the Pharisees are distressed and want to discredit Jesus. Jesus turns his attention to their false conclusions and the vital importance of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. Two observations are foremost in my mind today:

  1. The once blind and mute man must be wondering why there is any question about Jesus’ actions here. He once could neither see nor speak, now he could do both. It is interesting to note, also that nothing is said about the man’s hearing – a common combination of disability is hearing and speaking, not so often seeing and speaking. In any case Jesus chases a demon from this man and he is restored. The attention is turned quickly from him to Jesus, the one who cast out the demon. Jesus and his work takes center stage.
  2. The good fortune of the formerly demon-possessed man becomes a foil for something bigger. It’s not all about him; it’s about how God works, how Jesus is received, and the Holy Spirit’s role in all these things.

We do well to remember that Jesus’ work in our lives is meant to point beyond ourselves. The good fortune we experience is not to be a source of envy for others, but a testimony to the favor and goodness of God. In fact as we give God glory for all he has done, and do so from the heart, there will be less envy toward us. Is Jesus getting the attention he deserves as others see you and how you handle challenge and blessing?

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