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 – Part 2

John 20:24-29

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

 26Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

 

It might seem that Thomas is challenging Jesus while Jesus invites Thomas to believe. But a closer look reveals that Jesus’ invitation to believe is essential to the the implied but very real challenge to live as a disciple. If you don’t have the invitation to faith you don’t have a basis for living for Jesus. But if you don’t have the challenge to live for Jesus your life will be anything but abundant! Consider this diagram:

Invitation-Challenge
Invitation-Challenge

The disciples are in a state of grave discouragement. All they could see was the challenge to go on after seeing Jesus die. Thomas is simply the poster child for this discouragement. It won’t be long before the disciples are bored. They don’t know what to do with their lives. They see no invitation to meaningful faith or life (cf. John 21). I’m no sure the disciples are ever “cozy”; that seems to be the curse of modern-day cheap-grace quasi-Christianity.

In the end, the disciples will be left with an invitation/challenge that will engage them fully. For now it is enough to assess ourselves in regard to our engagement with the mission of God and the invitation to faith of Jesus. Faith is essential; it saves us. But to be abundantly alive we will look for the challenge of Jesus to take our faith and apply it liberally to life.

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.