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.”

Waiting

John 19:38-42

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher – the very likely location of Jesus’ borrowed tomb

Sometimes you must do only what you can do. Sometimes your options are so limited all you can do is wait. Surely that’s what Jesus’ disciples must have felt on that first Easter eve. Joseph offered his tomb. Nicodemus and he took Jesus’ body and put it in the tomb. And then they waited.

The Sabbath was at hand, so they had to stand down. Certainly they spent the day wondering what their future would look like. Surely they considered whether or not they would ever dare to hope again. Jesus was dead. Their hopes were dashed. Any plans and hopes they had embraced only a week ago were empty and discarded. But what now? It is time only to wait.

How many times have you been there? Your dreams dashed. Your hopes empty. Your future completely on hold. We live in the luxury of knowing that once Sunday comes all hopes will be back front and center. We live in the great benefit of a context of triumph. All is not lost.

Yet there are times when we must simply wait. We don’t always know how God will turn despair to expectation. So, if you’re in a holding pattern remember on whom you are waiting. And remember this promise…

Isaiah 40:31

They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

Sunday will bring news of a renewed future that no one dared to believe on Saturday. But for now they will wait. So must we.

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