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.”

By Grace through Faith

On Reformation Sunday we celebrate the reforming work of a Catholic monk named Martin Luther turned church leader standing on the truth of God’s word alone. It all started when he – through study of the Bible – determined he must call for debate on the sale of indulgences. These indulgences cheapened the grace of Christ, and gave false hope to the common folk. He called for reforms in the church’s teachings and practices. He translated the Bible into German, and wrote many hymns and commentaries. He taught that priests could marry, that the worship service could be in German, and that each Christian can go directly to God through Jesus. Luther’s enemies called those who supported Luther’s reforms “Lutherans.” Lutherans, today, are noted for teaching that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ.

 

Martin Luther statue in Eisleben, Germany - the place of Luther's birth and death.
Martin Luther statue in Eisleben, Germany – the place of Luther's birth and death.

Matthew 17:24-27

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” 25He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” 26And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

Jesus teaches grace and faith in this brief encounter. He provides for the tax in behalf of Peter and himself by grace: a coin is found in the fish’s mouth. He calls for faith on the part of Peter who must act in faith in order to retrieve the coin. Grace is God’s gift accessed by faith.

We keep this truth front and center both in the face of life and death. We celebrated the wedding of Matt & Dana yesterday, thankful to God for his grace and love in bringing them together. There are also two funerals this week at which I will share the hope of the resurrection and the promise of eternal life (by grace through faith!).

What promise of God’s grace calls you to faith today? How will you act on it?

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