David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens


Acts 2:14-21

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood,
    before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Aspiring Blossom | Mercer Arboretum | May 2023

Diane and I will soon be teaching pastors and their spouses in Tanzania. The focus of this immersion in missional leadership is Together in Mission. One of the key ideas we’ll be sharing is that Jesus calls everyone to be a disciple, each day, everywhere we go. Following Jesus and inviting others to join us in the following is a way of life, not an optional extra work for those who believe in Jesus.

I remember the time I shared this idea with a friend. He was a dedicated Christian. He led a decent, godly, and morally upright life. He was even a leader in the church I was serving at the time. He balked, however, at the idea of being called a disciple. To him a disciple was a sort of super-Christian. A disciple was someone who lived in Bible times and hung out with Jesus on a regular basis. He had to rethink Jesus’ great commission: Make disciples of all nations. Make disciples, not just converts. Not merely people who believe in him. Disciples are followers of Jesus who make other disciples who make other disciples. We’re all called to this. That’s quite a challenging call!

We who have called on the name of the Lord have been saved. Now we carry his message of salvation to others. Thankfully we’re not called to do this on our own. God has sent his Holy Spirit – just as he promised to do through the prophet Joel.

Joel 2:28-29, 32

“Then, after doing all those things,
    I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
    Your old men will dream dreams,
    and your young men will see visions.
29 In those days I will pour out my Spirit
    even on servants—men and women alike.

32 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
    will be saved,

This is for us all: Young and old, women and men, new believer and life-long Christian. It’s a high calling and a great privilege. We don’t do this alone. Thank God for his Holy Spirit who works in and through us to bring this good news to others!


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