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.”

Beyond Cheap Talk

John 7:45-52

 45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” 47The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? 48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? 49But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” 50Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51“Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?”52They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”

Truth Be Told
Truth Be Told

There are smooth talkers, fast talkers, sweet talkers, and cheap talkers. Jesus was none of these. He spoke truth into the souls of those who needed truth, and grace into the lives of those who sought God’s help. Sometimes that truth cut across the grain of conventional wisdom and religious tradition. Sometimes the truth was cloaked in repartee and challenge, for those with whom Jesus was speaking desired only to silence him. Thank God Jesus spoke grace into the hearts of those yearning for truth and hope.

There was something different about Jesus’ speech. The officers who had been sent to arrest Jesus came back from their mission without Jesus in tow. They reported, “Nobody ever spoke like this man!” (v. 46). On another occasion when Jesus had finished speaking he was judged to have taught with authority (Matthew 7:28-29).

On this occasion, and the whole of John 7, Jesus speaks truth cloaked in challenge and confrontation. This is not a chapter people would go to in times of distress, worry, or grief. But these conversations are helpful for those of us who deal with skeptics and critics. Jesus doesn’t give up. He simply continued to speak the truth about himself, his Father, and the duplicity of those who wanted to silence him.

Grace and truth are a powerful combination. They are fully evident in the life and being of Jesus. That’s not cheap talk, but costly and far-reaching reality.

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