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.”

For us and our salvation…

John 17:24-26

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Three Lights and Their Shadows
Three Lights and Their Shadows

“Who for us [men] and our salvation came down from heaven…” is a phrase from the ancient Nicene Creed, dating from the fourth century. It describes the actions of Jesus who (continuing the quote) “…came down from heaven, was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified for us…” The creed goes on to confess that Jesus rose from the dead, living and reigning at the right hand of God and will come again at the last day to judge the living and the dead, and his “kingdom shall have no end.”

The whole of Jesus’ life and ministry flows from the desire of Jesus to bring us to the Father, to see his true glory, and to be filled with the same love that the Father had for Christ from the foundation of the world.

Salvation is not a new idea. It dates back before 381 when the Nicene Creed came to its somewhat current form, even before Jesus went to the cross – as Jesus’ prayer is recorded here in John’s gospel. It goes to the foundation of the world when God loved Christ and Christ loved the Father, and they and the Holy Spirit – in the mystery of the Triune nature of God’s being – conspired (!) to redeem a world yet to be made, yet to be broken and corrupted by sin, but destined to be glorified at the end of all time.

That is a great mystery to be sure. But we may be sure of this thing: Christ’s desire – even as he faced his own death for our redemption – was that we would experience his glory, believe in the Father’s love for him, and experience that love for all eternity. He was praying for us 2000 years ago as he faced the cross, that we might know his true identity and love. That is a great blessing indeed!

 

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