David Bahn – Reflections

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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.”

Joseph’s Merciful Righteousness

Read Matthew 1:18-25

 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. – Matthew 1:18-19

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Old Town Spring Christmas Lights | December 2017

A recent devotion from Lutheran Hour Ministries offered a new-to-me insight on Joseph. The author pointed out that the Greek grammar allows for two different ways of translating this phrase:

  • Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. Or…
  • Although Joseph was a just man he was unwilling to put her to shame, and resolved to divorce her quietly.

Justice or mercy: which shall it be? In Joseph’s case, the Law of Moses required that adulterers be stoned. Harsh judgment to be sure; and one Jesus would bump up against in the account of the woman taken in adultery (John 8:1-11). But it was the law nonetheless. And Jesus did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17).

What shall happen here? Shall justice prevail, or will Joseph bend toward mercy? In fact in all that Jesus does, both justice and mercy prevail. In reality Mary has done nothing to deserve death; she has been perfectly faithful to God and to Joseph. And at the same time, Joseph will need to offer much mercy to Mary as she carries the Son of God – not his child.

It is a very good thing that Jesus came [how’s that for a profound statement from a follower of Jesus?!?!] because Jesus does perfectly embody justice and mercy. He was perfectly just in all he did his whole life. He was also perfectly merciful to all who recognize their need and call to him in faith. In fact Jesus’ death satisfies the justice of God and displays the mercy of God perfectly. By his stripes (justice) we are healed (mercy).

This is not the time of year that we are accustomed to hear of Jesus’ suffering and death. More often we hear of angels, magi, shepherds, and the manger. This is the mercy of God for us. A Savior is born. And Jospeh’s righteousness is an integral part in God’s redemptive work through his Son, Jesus of Nazareth.

We are not God’s savior. We are at best agents of his love and messengers of his mercy. But we are such agents and messengers. And as such we may be as essential to God’s work of grace in someone’s life as Joseph was in the life of Mary.

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One response to “Joseph’s Merciful Righteousness”

  1. Quilting Crosses with Threads of Hope Avatar
    Quilting Crosses with Threads of Hope

    A little over a year ago, having been offered precious grace and received deep mercy when I didn’t realize my need for them or that they were what I sought is indeed a profoundly life changing moment. The meer mention of the word, “Grace” makes my heart pound to this day; an incredible undeserved mercy. Each day since has looked different to me and I thirst all the more for a deeper understanding of God’s Word and to be more about HIS ways of sharing Jesus’ love, grace and mercy. What a beautiful show is MERCY Joseph exhibited for us all. Love this season in New ways!

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