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.”

An Unusual Christmastime Psalm

Psalm 22:22-24

I will tell of your name to my brothers;
    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!
    All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
    and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or abhorred
    the affliction of the afflicted,
and he has not hidden his face from him,
    but has heard, when he cried to him.

christmas lights

The portion of Psalm 22 that is above is not unusual nor one you would dismiss as appropriate for Christmas. But taken in context, it would not likely be your first choice. This psalm begins with the haunting words that Jesus quoted when he hung on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Those words are more appropriate to Good Friday, not Christmas.

Yet a more careful reading of the Christmas account, together with just a bit of putting that whole event into context, and you will see how appropriate – if not ironic – this psalm really is. For Jesus forsook his heavenly throne. He went away from his Heavenly Father in order to take on human sin and redeem us lost and condemned creatures. 

So when Jesus calls out, “…why have you forsaken me,” he’s expressing a truth that he had set in motion 33 years prior to his death. And that’s where Christmas comes in. For the reason for Christmas was so that Jesus could take on human flesh, live the life of perfect faith and love, obedience and humility that we could never live. 

But Psalm 22 doesn’t end at verse 1. We come to the verses above and see the triumph that Jesus looked forward to even as he hung on the cross. It didn’t make the nail or the wood any less rough and mean. It didn’t take away the shame of suffering as he did. It did, however, remain his hope and confidence in the midst of unthinkable spiritual distress.

So we fear him and praise him, glorifying him and rejoicing in our salvation. He has heard the cry of his people. He has redeemed us. We are his. We tell of his name in the confidence of his salvation.

Thank you, Lord Jesus.

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