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.”

Implications

Hebrews 10:19-25

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

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The implications of God’s salvation and forgiveness are beyond the obvious. Surely we have the hope of heaven. Surely we have a clear conscience. Certainly we can be thankful that we know God love us. These immediately come to mind. And they are all good. 

But we are urged here to draw near to God, hold fast to the confession of our hope, consider how to inspire others to love and good, and doing that as a part of our worship life. The implications of our salvation are poured into these thoughts, and they are profound. Chapters about the significant way in which the Old Testament rites, laws, requirements, temple and religious expression are fulfilled in Jesus’ sacrifice give way now to the “so what” of our salvation.

What if we were to take seriously all that Jesus did for us by his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and on-going ministry of intercession at the right hand of God? We would surely draw near to God, hold fast to our hope, inspire others to do good, meet for worship. 

But note well: there is an immense difference between “therefore” and “so that.” We do these things because of God’s salvation, not to gain it. So there is a two-fold danger we must avoid. One would be to think and act as though we must do these things to gain God’s salvation. That is a sad slavery. But the equally sad slavery is to a life of self-serving nonchalance toward God and his salvation, and a despising of God’s great gift. The implications of that are eternally sad. 

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