David Bahn – Reflections

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast 

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

³⁴ And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

³⁵ And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. ³⁶ And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

I had an interesting, but all too brief conversation with a non-believer not too long ago. He seemed to think that there was a fundamental error in the Bible. Beyond simply being an irrelevant religious curiosity, his assumption was that there was no lasting truth in Scripture. The conversation was brief simply because he quickly realized that I had a strong different opinion. He dismissed further conversation, I believe, because he thought he would undo my faith. I wish we could have had a deeper conversation. He might have been surprised. We simply went on our way. Maybe one day I can have that conversation. Maybe God will prepare him for that to be more than a lip service agreement to agree to disagree. Seems he was not ready to open himself to a deeper exploration of faith, God, truth, and the eternal truths of Scripture.

Mary, on the other hand displayed a great willingness to enter into the conversation with the angel. She was startled and afraid at the outset. But as the encounter unfolded her fears were allayed and she became a willing servant.

I wonder how often we shut down the conversations about God, his will for us, and our place in relation to the truth of Scripture. It may have to do with our fears, or even the fears of the messenger of God. In the case of the holy angels of God, and in this case the angel Gabriel, there seems to be no fear. He is completely dedicated to delivering the message from God. There is something very powerful in a non-anxious presence. And Gabriel has that in spades. His lack of fear dispels Mary’s initial fear.

Mary’s path from fear to willing servant of the Lord passes by the markers of faith, trust, confidence, grace, and fearless willingness to love and see others for who they are. If someone is not put off by your fear nor dissuaded by your vulnerabilities, you may be willing to open yourself to God’s healing grace and truth.

God has favor toward Mary. She will conceive a child. He will be the Son of God. A miracle is about to happen. For Gabriel that is nothing new. Perhaps he’s seen others express their willingness to bend their will to God’s will. On this occasion that bending is world-changing.

I wonder what fears may need to be allayed within us by which we may become ever more willing servants. That’s what God did for us when he took on human flesh. Maybe you or I need to acknowledge our fears to him and see how he deals with them. Mary is an indication of God’s gentle spirit toward those who open themselves humbly to his word. She didn’t know how things would turn out, but she did finally say, “I am the Lord’s servant. Be it to me as you have said.” Mary didn’t know. But she did believe. And we are blessed for it.

Mary Did You Know?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of God

Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
Is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am

Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)
Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)
Mary, did you know? Oh

Songwriters: Mark Lowry / Buddy Greene
Mary, Did You Know? lyrics © Greensleeves Publishing Limited, Word Music, LLC

PS: You might find it interesting to read this biblical examination of the song.

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast 

For the past 16 years I have offered a Christmas prayer for our photo club Christmas party. I offer a light-hearted prayer, but manage always to mention Jesus and the love of God displayed in his birth. Here, for your enjoyment, is this year’s prayer:

To the tune of Jingle Bells

Refrain:           Canonites, Sonyians, Fujiists, Nikonians
Oh what fun it is to click and chimp to our hearts’ delight! – YIKES!
Don’t forget the Olympiasts or Petntaxians.
All can enter their photos monthly – even cell-phoneians!

A week or two ago, I assigned myself this prayer
And surely I did know, I couldn’t just grab last year’s
Last year’s a’long time ago. So many things have changed
So you’ll have to endure this forced refrain before we eat Jello (or anything else!) –Refrain

To eat and drink and party, we gather every year
And tradition has it now, I get to sing a prayer
So let’s all bow our heads and give thanks to the One above
Who first said, “Let light shine-in-the-dark,” and showed us his great love. Oh… – Refrain

I celebrate the Lord, and sing praise to Jesus Christ
To those who hear me now, I wish you joy and peace.
The food we now may share, and drink, and plenteous good will
God’s gifts for which I give great thanks, and hope you’ll join me still! Oh… – Refrain

So let the party begin…or for some continue on
We’re here to celebrate another year of fun.
We’ve won blue, red, or white, and some no ribbons at all
But we’ve all learned enough to take a shot to deck the wall! Oh… – Refrain

So let me end this prayer, and say sincerely thanks,
For all good will and food we’ll share to fill our tanks.
I’m saying my Amen. I hope you’ll add yours too.
And have a blessed Christmas time and happy New Year too! …Amen!

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast 

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

³⁴ And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

³⁵ And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. ³⁶ And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

It seems easier and easier for me to lose things these days. Where are my keys? “Have you looked…,” Diane will reply. I can’t find my earbuds (She may actually have hidden them, after all). I laid my phone down somewhere. Did you see it? Thankfully the phone has a find me feature. Not so much the keys or the earbuds. They could be gone forever if I lose them. Maybe you can identify with that.

Many of us are on a quest of which we may be completely unaware. In the words of the country western song, we’re all very inclined to be looking for love in all the wrong places. The French mathematician and philosopher, Blaise Pascal famously said:

“There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.” – Blaise Pascal

So when I read that Mary is told by the angel, “You have found favor with God…,” I am intrigued. Was she looking for that? Was she yearning for God’s favor? Was there a vacuum in her heart? Wasn’t she a daughter of Abraham? Wasn’t she a daughter of the covenant? Wasn’t she already in?

Perhaps she did not know that she was yearning for Jesus Christ. Could be that she really didn’t know that the son soon to be born would be God in the flesh. St. Augustine says “You have made us for yourself O Lord and our hearts are restless until they  rest in you.”

Did you know, Mary, that you needed rest that could only be supplied by resting in the goodness, faithfulness, love, and mercy of God? Did you know that the child to be born of whom you were about to learn would fill a vacuum in your heart?

I suspect all this is true for many today. We may put our yearnings in categories of disease, guilt, shame, disappointment, loneliness, emptiness, hopelessness, betrayal, or death’s looming shadow. But we’re all empty vessels, and sadly we too very often seek to fill ourselves with all the wrong things. Mary may have been different, and for that reason chosen to bear the Son of God. Salvation comes to us by God’s grace – from first to last. But those of noble character – though no more saved by grace than you or me – find God’s favor in unique ways. And although Mary found favor with God, she would still need herself a Savior. The Child that [she] delivered would soon deliver [her.] We’re all broken, but character before God matters.

Mary is a bit unlike David or Saul of Tarsus. They both had to have a sharp rebuke in order to be shaped more fully to God’s purpose and plan. Mary’s would be much more gentle (cf. Matthew 12:46-50). But Mary had found favor with God. I yearn for that as well. I hope to find it. I pray that you do too, dear reader. I pray that you do too.

Mary Did You Know?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of God

Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
Is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am

Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)
Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)
Mary, did you know? Oh

Songwriters: Mark Lowry / Buddy Greene
Mary, Did You Know? lyrics © Greensleeves Publishing Limited, Word Music, LLC

PS: You might find it interesting to read this biblical examination of the song.

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast 

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

³⁴ And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

³⁵ And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. ³⁶ And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

What was Mary doing when the angel came to her with this world-changing announcement? Some think she was reading or praying. Other artists show her sewing or spinning. Maybe she was cooking or working in the garden. Might she have just sat down to rest or ponder life. We don’t know what she was doing, but we do know the angel came to her with startling news. She would conceive a child by the power of the Holy Spirit and would bear a son, the Son of God. Now that’s startling news. Life changing. World shattering. Earth shaking.

Her questions were not dismissed by the angel or by God. The answers she got would surely need to be pondered. Nine months later she would “treasure up and ponder in her heart” the events of his birth. But now she simply accepts the message of the angel and identifies herself as the Lord’s servant. She will let it be to her as the angel had said. She will take her place humbly in the events that are unfolding around her.

Those events were specific to her. She would become pregnant. She would visit her cousin and learn of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. She would praise God with the beautiful words of the Magnificat. She would be great with child and give birth to her son. But for now she will believe, submit, wait, and ponder.

I believe that I’ve had one encounter with an angel. That’s a whole different story. But the message I received shaped my entire ministry. Whether we’ve been visited by an angel or not, however, we all can take a cue from Mary’s response to the angel’s news. For we’ve heard good news as well. God has spoken to us in his word. We read the Bible and certain texts speak to us and touch our hearts. Certain truths ring crystal clear. Certain promises, commands, warnings, and prophecies impact us.

What are we to do with all these? Believe, obey, trust, wait, ponder, listen. If we do we will learn more about God, deepen our faith, find greater joy, and experience greater peace. This song helps me do that. Perhaps it will do the same for you. We can all be surrounded by God’s grace and favor, marvel at his glory, and play our part in his grand story of redemption.

Mary Did You Know?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of God

Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
Is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am

Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)
Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)
Mary, did you know? Oh

Songwriters: Mark Lowry / Buddy Greene
Mary, Did You Know? lyrics © Greensleeves Publishing Limited, Word Music, LLC

PS: You might find it interesting to read this biblical examination of the song.

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast 

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

³⁴ And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

³⁵ And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. ³⁶ And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

I had no idea. How many times have you said that? I had no idea that you were listening… I had no idea it was that hot. I had no idea it would end up like this. Life is full of the unexpected. We might think that knowing what will happen will save us from major missteps. Beyond the ability to have picked Apple stock when it was $10 per share (or take your pick and price), we imagine knowing the future will help us avoid bigger mistakes.

Mary didn’t know all that Jesus would do. But she might have had some ideas. She had been told that he child would be the Son of God. She had been told that he would save his people from their sin. She had been told that his birth was a miracle of the Holy Spirit. She was told his name, and the eternity of his reign. She may not have understood it all. She could not have known fully what the future would hold.

Knowing the future, however, can spoil the pleasant surprises of life. Most important, God does not need us to know all that is to happen in order for us to be a part of his story of redemption and life in his kingdom. A roadmap to the future would be a hindrance, not a help to a life of faith. We may know how certain things will unfold in life, but knowing will not necessarily keep us dependant on God. We may want to know. But God want us to trust.

I love the images of the song…Jesus walking on water, healing sons and daughters, giving sight to a blind man, kissing the face of God. This is an invitation to look forward to Jesus’ life and ministry with anticipation every time we read the Gospels. It’s like watching The Chosen and knowing the stories of Jesus’ ministry, but delighting to see how they will be portrayed.

Jesus is God in the flesh. His ministry impacted thousands in his day, and millions since that time. The mystery and wonder of the incarnation is explored here, and I especially enjoy how this song helps me ponder these things.

Mary Did You Know?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of God

Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
Is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am

Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)
Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)
Mary, did you know? Oh

Songwriters: Mark Lowry / Buddy Greene
Mary, Did You Know? lyrics © Greensleeves Publishing Limited, Word Music, LLC

PS: You might find it interesting to read this biblical examination of the song.

Join me in praying these Psalms on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 4:1-4

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
    You have given me relief when I was in distress.
    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

² O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
    How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
³ But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him.

⁴ Be angry, and do not sin;
    ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Psalm 34:1-3, 8

I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
² My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
³ Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!
⁸ O taste and see that the Lord is good;
    happy are those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 64:10

Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord
    and take refuge in him!
Let all the upright in heart exult!

Psalm 94:12-15

Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord,
    and whom you teach out of your law,
¹³ to give him rest from days of trouble,
    until a pit is dug for the wicked.
¹⁴ For the Lord will not forsake his people;
    he will not abandon his heritage;
¹⁵ for justice will return to the righteous,
    and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Psalm 124:8

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
All rights reserved

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast 

Isaiah 35:1-4

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
    the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;
² it shall blossom abundantly
    and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
    the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
    the majesty of our God.

³ Strengthen the weak hands,
    and make firm the feeble knees.
⁴ Say to those who have an anxious heart,
    “Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
    will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
    He will come and save you.”

⁵ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
    and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
⁶ then shall the lame man leap like a deer,
    and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For waters break forth in the wilderness,
    and streams in the desert;
⁷ the burning sand shall become a pool,
    and the thirsty ground springs of water;
in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down,
    the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

⁸ And a highway shall be there,
    and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it.
    It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
    even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.

Who doesn’t rejoice when a baby is born? Perhaps the destitute mother who has no way to support her new born child. Maybe an uncaring father who sees just one more mouth to feed. Could be a harried nurse whose feet ache from days on end of 12 hour shifts. Might be a worried mom or dad who see only a responsibility that their too-young daughter now mother must face.

But these are exceptions. Mostly we rejoice. In the case of Emmanuel’s birth – a miracle in every way – there was much joy. Rejoicing abounded. Angels sang out in the night, “Glory to God in the highest!” The whole creation paused from their travail (cf. Romans 8:22) to breathe a sigh of relief and a song of praise because the time had come for God to act.

Even though we and all creation are waiting for the fullness of our redemption, we too sing our praises and rejoice at the Good News of Jesus’ birth. Joy to the world! Dear Christians Now Rejoice! Go tell it on a mountain! Jesus Christ is born. The Prince of Peace has come. The key of David is unlocking the doors of heaven. Blessings will flow from heaven. We will enter heaven’s gates. Wisdom from on high has been given to us. The mighty Lord has shown his power…in a baby! We are freed from Satan’s tyranny. Morning has dawned. The desire of nations is given.

Are you rejoicing? Listening to Christmas music – not Grandma got run over by a reindeer!  How about Handel’s Messiah. Mannheim Steamroller. Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. King’s College Christmas Carols. There are certainly many more!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear. Refrain

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

2 O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who ord’rest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go. Refrain

3 O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the Law
In cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain

4 O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s tree,
Free them from Satan’s tyranny
That trust Thy mighty pow’r to save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave. Refrain

5 O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery. Refrain

6 O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight. Refrain

7 O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace. Refrain

Text: Public domain

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast 

Isaiah 40:1-4

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
² Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
    that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord‘s hand
    double for all her sins.

³ A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
⁴ Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain.

Company’s coming! Clear off the countertops! Clean the floors! Dust. Vacuum. Clean the bathrooms. We don’t live in a Better Homes and Gardens – decorated house. You wouldn’t stage our home for a real estate sale without some major decluttering, furniture moving, and storage unit filling. But when we’re having company certain things just must be done. It may not be listing photo ready. But there are some things we simply must do. I may not be the driver of that process, but I do like the result: a clean house and dirty-laundry-free living space.

When Emmanuel was to come, Isaiah says preparations need to be made. Rather than sweeping floors, however, we must humble the proud and encourage the timid. We must straighten our lives and order our life-choices according to God’s standards. But those means of preparation are for our good and blessing, not so that God will come. It will be better for us if we’re ready for him than if we’re not.

But our preparedness does not determine his mission or his purpose. He was committed to this before the foundation of time. Emmanuel’s intent and purpose is to bless, not to condemn (cf. John 3:17). His commitment is to redeem. He won’t be thwarted by rough roads or unable to traverse deep valleys. Like the song Reckless Love says,

Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the 99
And I couldn’t earn it
I don’t deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

…

There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me

Songwriters: Cory Asbury

Reckless Love lyrics © Be Essential Songs,

Bethel Music Publishing, Watershed Worship Publishing, Cory Asbury Publishing

Emmanuel has come. He will come again. His mission is love, grace, truth, and redemption. He has ransomed us. We are his. We need not earn it. But we must live it. He will come again. On that day faith will be turned to sight. All will be right with the world. Justice will be fully and finally served. The humble will be exalted. The arrogant will be abased. We who look for and pray for his coming will be eternally glad. So in anticipation of that, we sing…

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear. Refrain

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

2 O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who ord’rest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go. Refrain

3 O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the Law
In cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain

4 O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s tree,
Free them from Satan’s tyranny
That trust Thy mighty pow’r to save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave. Refrain

5 O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery. Refrain

6 O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight. Refrain

7 O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace. Refrain

Text: Public domain

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast 

Ephesians 2:1-10

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ² in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ³ among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

I was stuck in the mud up to the axles of my Dad’s 1963 Chrysler Newport. I had foolishly driven onto an unpaved field to turn around. And what looked to me like dry dirt was a bog of mud. I’m sure I nearly broke the transmission of the car as I rocked back and forth, spinning the tires, determined to get out of the mess I had gotten myself into.

On another occasion I had driven home from a date, and going too fast over a hill, the car had gone airborne! I think I actually did break a motor mount on the car that night. It’s a wonder the car survived my early years of driving.

I was oblivious on the one hand of the trouble I was causing, and deeply distressed on the other hand and bent on getting out of the trouble I had gotten in. In both cases I was reckless and irresponsible. Thank God that I didn’t cause even more damage to our family sedan!

When the road is straight, and the ride is smooth, we take little thought for our need for safe travel and dependable transportation. And so much of life is like that for us today. When things are going well, we easily lose sight of our need for God’s provision, protection, and rescue. His grace is a nice thing that we too easily take for granted.

But we are captive. We are captive to sin, death, sickness, discouragement, and troubles of others’ and our own making. We need a redeemer. We need Jesus. For apart from him, we are dead in tresspasses and sins. We are enemies of God. We are spiritually blind to our plight. And sadly these conditions assault us daily. Relentlessly. Cruelly.

But God came and dwelt with us – Emmanuel – and made us alive in Christ. As Paul puts it in Titus 3:3-7:

We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. ⁴ But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

We are broken people, living in a broken world, with broken and false remedies to our own rescue. When we realize that, we are ever more ready to sing, “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel!”

Emmanuel has come. He has ransomed us. So now we rejoice for Emmanuel has come to us. We wait now for his final appearing and pray, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

[Verse 1]

O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel

[Verse 2]

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the law In cloud, and majesty and awe
[Refrain]

[Verse 3]

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save And give them victory o’er the grave
[Refrain]

[Verse 4]

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death’s dark shadows put to flight
[Refrain]

[Verse 5]

O come, Thou Key of David, come And open wide our heavenly home
Make safe the way that leads on high And close the path to misery
[Refrain]

[Verse 6]

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high And order all things, far and nigh
To us the path of knowledge show And cause us in her ways to go
[Refrain]

[Verse 7]

O come, desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease And be Thyself our King of peace
[Refrain]

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast 

Ezekiel 34:11-16

“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. ¹² As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. ¹³ And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. ¹⁴ I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. ¹⁵ I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. ¹⁶ I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.

The 1996 movie Ransom stars Mel Gibson as a father of a kidnapped son. The ransom request to which Gibson’s character agrees  was for $2,000,000. As the movie unfolds, however, the ransom money becomes a bounty offer to anyone who fingers the kidnappers. It’s an interesting thriller. And while today the ransom would likely be more like $10,000,000, the fact remains: We are likely to do whatever it takes to rescue a loved one from abduction. You’ll have to decide for yourself about the idea of offering instead a bounty.

We might ask ourselves what we would give to ransom our child. We might wonder whether we have enough to do it. Jesus asks, “What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:37). Therein lies the problem. We don’t have enough to redeem ourselves. Our debt is too great. Or even more to the point our abduction so complete and our situation so dire and we cannot reach deep enough into our own pockets. The money is just not there. We don’t have enough of the right currency. We are captive to our own captivity. 

When God acted on his plan to redeem and ransom lost and broken creation he came himself. Otherwise we are beyond redemption. We cannot reach to him. He must come to us. But what a cost!

Laying aside his glory.

Humbling himself to be born a baby in Bethlehem

Enduring the mocking and dismissal of the religious leaders of his day

Putting up with those closest to him who just didn’t get it

Submitting to the torture of his captors

Carrying is own instrument of execution to a hill outside the Holy City

Dying naked and abandoned by his disciples…and God himself

Being laid in a borrowed tomb

But O what a glorious ransom!

Paralytics set free to run and dance

Sinful women being set free from a life of abuse and forced depravity

A sick child freed from death’s grip at the last minute

Blind men being freed from a life of darkness

A dead man being freed from his grave and then his grave clothes

A doubting man being free from his unbelief

A struggling student being freed from a dead-end life

A faithful woman being feed from fear

A promiscuous girl being freed from guilt and condemnation

A conscientious boy being freed from demanded obedience

A lost son being freed from guilt and abandonment

A deceived woman being feed from her deception

And so many more… Because God heard the pleas of his people and sent our Ransom. He has redeemed us, not with gold or silver, but with his holy precious blood and his innocent suffering and death, and his kind, good, gracious, merciful love. How precious are his gifts! How blessed are we. God is with us.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

[Verse 1]

O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel

[Verse 2]

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the law In cloud, and majesty and awe
[Refrain]

[Verse 3]

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save And give them victory o’er the grave
[Refrain]

[Verse 4]

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death’s dark shadows put to flight
[Refrain]

[Verse 5]

O come, Thou Key of David, come And open wide our heavenly home
Make safe the way that leads on high And close the path to misery
[Refrain]

[Verse 6]

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high And order all things, far and nigh
To us the path of knowledge show And cause us in her ways to go
[Refrain]

[Verse 7]

O come, desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease And be Thyself our King of peace
[Refrain]