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.”

The Day Before

John 12:44-50

And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoeversees me sees him who sent me. 46  I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48  The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

Tomorrow Jesus will gather his disciples in the upper room for the Passover Seder. Tomorrow he will be betrayed and arrested. Tomorrow he will be taken from his disciples. So today Jesus stakes his claim, and it is a claim totally not his own.

Jesus speaks on the authority of the Father. He is completely given to the Father’s will, purpose, plan, and power. And while these words here may appear weak – as though he is not taking responsibility for his own words and ideas – these words are strong and confident.

Sometimes people will attempt to bolster their convictions or opinions by saying, “People are saying…” then giving their own opinion. They don’t have the courage to stand up for their own conviction. This is not what Jesus is doing here. He is acting in complete submission to the Father, and under his authority. He will not deviate from that place and plan.

Jesus does this for many reasons. He is one with the Father. He is completely given to the mission of saving the world. He is also totally convinced, also, that the Father’s way is the way of eternal life. Here is the key to Jesus’ words on the day before his betrayal: Jesus desires nothing more than to save the world and bring eternal life to those who believe in him.

God’s plan is not about betrayal, mocking, suffering, crucifixion, and death – although his plan includes these things. God’s plan is that all those who believe in him will have eternal life. And he will raise us up on the last day.

The day before Jesus’ arrest Jesus is given to fulfilling God’s plan – as he will be tomorrow, the next day, and the next, until that great Last Day. What will you do today if you actually believe this?

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.