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.”

(In-)Justice

John 18:28-32

Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

"Bygone Glory"
"Bygone Glory"

Some people are hard to please. I saw a cartoon once in an auto parts shop. It said something like, “OK, how about if we refund your money, fire the salesman, reprimand the parts distributor, give you a new car, and a trip to Hawaii – would that satisfy you?” Smaller reparations are not sufficient.

As the Jewish leaders are dealing with Jesus there is no room in their hearts or minds for discipline, or any attempt to find compromise. Jesus is their sworn enemy, and nothing short of his death will quell their anger. Nothing short of getting rid of this man will solve the problem – as far as they are concerned.

Jesus is either a liar of the worst kind (deceiving the people, and dangerous to peoples’ eternal wellbeing), or he is a lunatic (to be put away in some sort of insane asylum and dismissed from serious consideration), or he is Lord. Their conclusion was the former – or perhaps they thought he was a lunatic. But none of these leaders thought Jesus was Lord.

In fact, however, Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth. He will lay down his life, but he will take it up again (cf. John 10:18). Indeed in the end Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth” (cf. Matthew 28:18).

The dramatic solution of the Jews to kill Jesus would not work in the end. We will be satisfied when we act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).

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