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.”

The Anointed One

It’s easy to tell who the good guys are in art from 500 years ago. The saints often have halos. Lucas Cranach painted many portraits of famous people including Martin Luther. He used the color yellow (which he identified with evil) to identify Judas Iscariot in altar triptych at the City Church in Wittenburg.

Cranach Altar Painting in City Church - Wittenberg, Germany - where Luther preached.
Cranach Altar Painting in St. Mary's (City) Church – Wittenberg, Germany – where Luther preached.

Matthew 16:13-20

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him,  “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Today it’s not so easy. There seems to be a constant effort in modern television and Hollywood productions to confuse good and evil. Certainly there are always nuances of good and evil humanly speaking all around us. Our motives are always with us – altruistic or self-serving.

But when it comes to being the Anointed one of God (that’s what “Messiah” means), the obvious becomes even more unclear. For the culmination of Jesus’ ministry – the height of his work as the Messiah – was the crucifixion. Jesus performed many miracles, taught the truth of God to the amazement of many, and ultimately rose from the dead. But the centerpiece of his ministry was the cross. His suffering and death in our place marked him as the Messiah. His resurrection proved that he was the Son of God.

Today fame and importance are tied to celebrity. Celebrities testify before Congress. Celebrities receive attention and near worship. God’s Anointed One was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and grief. He alone deserves our worship – no matter how enticing, interesting, famous, or important others may appear to be.

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