David Bahn – Reflections

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I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Matthew 11; 1 Chronicles 22; Isaiah 35; Jeremiah 6; Amos 1.

Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; ²⁶ yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ²⁷ All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

It is truly propitious that today’s 49 Week Bible Challenge Gospel reading is from Matthew 11. Today, June 10, 2025 marks the 46th anniversary as a pastor in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. And Matthew 10 contains the verses Pastor Robert Lange used when he preached for my ordination those many years ago. He chose that verse as an appropriate call to take on Jesus’ yoke. This yoke of Jesus is symbolized in the stole I wear with my vestments. It is a symbol of ordination and a reminder that I am a servant of Christ.

Six years earlier those verses had been given to me at my confirmation. I was a student at SEMO University and had gone through the Adult Information Class with the pastor at the Lutheran Campus Center. Did he know that I would one day serve as a pastor?

The idea of taking on Jesus’ yoke means taking the posture of submission, learning, and partnership with Jesus. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [emphasis added]” The yoke is not a burden of oppression, but an invitation to walk with Jesus, to be guided by his wisdom, and to live under his gracious reign and rule.

To take on his yoke is to trust that his ways are better than ours, that his strength will carry us when we are weary, and that in following him, we find not only purpose but also peace. For a pastor—and for all believers—it is both a calling and a comfort: we are not pulling the load alone. Christ is yoked with us, leading, teaching, and empowering us in love.

As an aside, I recall that Pastor Lange asked me perhaps 5 times if I wanted to take the Bible Study class to become a Lutheran. Five times! I finally said, “OK, but I don’t want to have to join just because I take the class. And If I do decide to join I don’t have to join right away.” He said, “sure,” to the first condition, and “well, within reason,” to the second! About ⅓ of the way through the Bible study, I said, “Where do I sign up?” Two things struck me during that study then. They are anchored in the grace and truth that Jesus embodies. Whenever I asked questions during that study, Pastor Lange’s answers were grounded in biblical truth, and every answer, teaching and truth pointed me back to God’s grace in Jesus.

I am thankful to God to be yoked with Jesus as I serve as a Lutheran pastor, holding out the grace and truth of Jesus!