David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

recent posts

about

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.”

Invitation and Challenge

John 20:19-23

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Gold, Red, White, and Blue
Gold, red, white, and blue colors add to the architectural intrigue of this building in Wittenberg, Germany

When Jesus appears to his disciples following his resurrection his greeting is “Peace!” coupled with a calling: “I am sending you.” He invites them to consider themselves persons of peace in relation to himself (and the Father), and challenges them to undertake the same mission he was given from the Father. Then he gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit and then marks their mission as one of forgiving and retaining sins.

The thought that a mere man or woman could possibly forgive sins, or even worse retain them is troubling to some. We see too easily the possibility of abuse. We don’t easily understand how forgiveness is mediated through another human being. Jesus, however, doesn’t ask our permission before inviting us to live in the realm where forgiveness is the most essential currency. Those who live there are authorized by God to offer it freely – the same way in which we have received forgiveness. And while it can be abused, people within the realm of Jesus’ kingdom do indeed forgive and retain sins. When we do this on earth, we are mediating a heavenly reality.

No wonder Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”! We are to reflect on earth the heavenly reality of God’s gift of peace by forgiving and retaining sins. Jesus’ entire ministry was one of forgiving the gravest sinners and confronting and opposing those who saw no need for repentance – in effect retaining their sins.

The message for us is simple but difficult: forgive your repentant brother or sister! And if someone refuses to admit even that he has sinned, challenge that one to think again; God cannot forgive un-sin. Do it as God would do it, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the realm of Jesus’ peace.

Discover more from David Bahn – Reflections

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Posted in

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.