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.”

God’s Gift of Abiding Joy

John 15:9-11

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

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Jesus expresses his love for the disciples as akin to the Father’s love for him. That is some comfort. After all, the Father expressed his love to Jesus in a number of ways.

  • The Father expressed his love for Jesus, saying out loud, “This is my beloved Son…” (Mark 1:11)
  • The Father showed his love for Jesus by hearing his prayers and displaying his glory through Jesus’ miracles (John 11:41-42)
  • The Father showed his love most dramatically by raising Jesus from the dead, and exalting him above all others (Philippians 2:10-11)

BUT…what about that whole death thing? Is that love? Isaiah says, “It was God’s will to crust him…”

Sometimes we think love is only sweet and happy. Sometimes we believe love has no edge or challenge. Sometimes we believe love requires no sacrifice. But the love of God is an edgy, roaring, and fiery confluence of mercy, kindness, gentleness, and grace. That’s quite a combination – and an oxymoron! But it’s true, and we could say it the other way: God’s love is a gracious, comforting, merciful and kind confluence of harsh reality, strength, truth and focus that urges toward better things.

Having said all that, however, God’s love for Jesus saw him through the most horrific human experience possible. And when it was over, Jesus sat down on the right hand of God and as the lamb who was slain now receives honor, and glory, and might, and power, and dominion, and praise, and worship forever and ever!

What do you make of the fact that Jesus loves us the same way the Father loves him? Is there not a bit of challenge in that fact? Might abiding in that love result in a splendor and glory that is otherwise unimaginable and unattainable? Is that worth thinking about and praying about today?

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