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.”

Signs

If we ever need a sign from God does that put us in the same category as the scribes and Pharisees? Are we evil and adulterous?

Dusk in Galveston
As dusk sets in a church steeple points heavenward in Galveston, Texas.

Matthew 12:38-42

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39But he answered them, ”An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

Is it always wrong to seek a sign from God? You’re praying for a friend or family member and you see no answer. Is it wrong to ask for a sign from God that your prayers are being heard? You are discouraged and wondering about God’s love for you. Is it wrong to seek a sign of God’s love? Your path is getting darker and more narrow each step of the way. It’s a path you’ve chosen because of God’s leading. Is it wrong to look for a sign from God to continue or turn aside?

The sinful attitude that the scribes and Pharisees held toward Jesus, and their request for a sign from him is different from the yearning of a pure heart for comfort and encouragement in our walk with Christ. One may recognize God’s faithfulness, love and goodness – not doubting that, even though sometimes struggling to hold that faith strong. But it is the weak that God comforts, not the arrogant and pride-filled.

Jesus is so strong in his condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees here  because they have no idea of how far they are from God and are quite well off in their arrogant demands. They are not like  Gideon, putting out a fleece (a sign!) to test the calling of God. They are judge and jury of the Son of Man: a dangerous seat to occupy. Jesus wants them out of there not only because they don’t belong there, but so that they might repent and be saved from their foolishness.

There is a sign: Jesus did not refuse to go to “Nineveh”, but came and called people to repentance and faith. He was put into the belly of the earth but rose again on the third day. He is the sign of God’s love, mercy and salvation.

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