David Bahn – Reflections

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 3:14-21

I grew up in a town next to the Mississippi River. It is long, and wide. Deep enough for large barges to traverse (but not as deep as the The Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench located in the Pacific Ocean). It is long: the fourth longest river in the world. The widest part of the Mississippi can be found at Lake Winnibigoshish near Bena, MN, where it is wider than 11 miles.

Paul speaks here of the breadth, length, height, and depth of God’s love. Think of it this way:

God’s love is broad. You can see how wide a river is by noticing how much it covers over. God’s river of love is so wide that it covers over my sin, and it covers over every circumstance of my life, so that all things work together for good. When I doubt His forgiveness or His providence, I am narrowing the mighty river of God’s love. His love is as wide as the world: For God so loved the world (John 3:16). [Enduring Word Commentary, as also below]

When considering the length of God’s love, ask yourself, “When did the love of God start towards me? How long will it continue?” These truths measure the length of God’s love. Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). [Enduring Word Commentary]

Philippians 2:7-8 tell us how deep the love of Jesus goes: but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. You can’t go lower than the death of the cross, and that is how deep the love of Jesus is for us. [Enduring Word Commentary]

To see the height of God’s love, ask yourself, “How high does it lift me?” It lifts me to heavenly places where I am seated with Christ. He has raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). [Enduring Word Commentary]

In summary God’s love is…

• Wide enough to embrace every sinner. Jesus died for the sins of the world.
• Long enough to span eternity: from everlasting to everlasting is God’s love.
• Deep enough to reach into the heart of the most wayward sinner.
• High enough to lift me to the eternal joy of the life of the world to come.

We comprehend this only by faith. That we will consider tomorrow.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 3:14-21

Have you ever prayed a big prayer? It’s easy and good to pray little prayers. Come, Lord Jesus. Be our guest. Let these gifts to us be blessed. Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep. Glad and well may I awake. This I ask for Jesus’ sake. 

There are also those more meaty prayers we pray. Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. 

And we lift up sometimes, more urgent prayers. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. 

This prayer is a big prayer. Paul is asking for God to grant us strength and power by the presence of Spirit in our inner being. He is praying that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. He is asking that we be rooted and grounded in love, and have strength to comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth of his love in Christ. He’s asking that for all the saints. He’s asking that we know unknowable the love of Christ. He’s praying that we be filled with all the fullness of God.

This is a big prayer. It deserves praying as often as we repeat the Lord’s Prayer. Let’s pray big prayers today!

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 3:14-21

She looked young and beautiful in the white wedding gown that her mother had made. She was on her father’s arm. When I looked down the church aisle I nearly forgot how much my feet hurt in my rental tuxedo shoes. As she was walking in, her hands and arms began to shake. She was to be my wife – shaking hands and all. She told me later that she wanted to tell the people she was really OK. But I don’t think anyone really noticed.

She had noticed some weeks earlier this passage in Ephesians. And it was her idea to include it as a prayer in our wedding. This was a beautiful way to end our wedding. I am thankful that she had found it. Whenever I see the passage, I think of Diane and thank God for her, and for moving our hearts together…some 44 years ago.

Consider the thoughts here: God gives names to all the families of the earth. He determines who we are. Sometimes this is lost on us. Sometimes we believe we have more power and are more autonomous than we actually are. None of us chose the time or place we were born. We did not choose our parents. In fact, our parents did not choose us – unless we were adopted.

But God has chosen us to be his children. We are the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. If we are part of God’s family we ought also be careful to protect the family name. Making a good impression, and seeking to honor the family name is a must.

To that end we pray for God’s strength be given us in our inner being. Our character is formed by the Holy Spirit’s presence in our hearts. God’s strength is grounded in and expressed in his love for us.

That we would know this! This is Paul’s prayer. This is God’s desire. This is a wedding prayer that will be fully realized in the Great Wedding Feast to come at the end of all time.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 3:14-21

Think about this prayer today. Watch for more tomorrow. May God’s love be ever more evident, powerfully present and delightfully surprising in times of joy or difficulty, or the everyday ebb and flow of life.

Psalm 10:16-18

The Lord is king forever and ever;

the nations perish from his land.

O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;

you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,

so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Psalm 40:4-5

Blessed is the man who makes

the Lord his trust,

who does not turn to the proud,

to those who go astray after a lie!

You have multiplied, O Lord my God,

your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;

none can compare with you!

I will proclaim and tell of them,

yet they are more than can be told.

Psalm 70:1

Make haste, O God, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!

O Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive

to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness,

that you may be feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

and in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord

more than watchmen for the morning,

more than watchmen for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!

For with the Lord there is steadfast love,

and with him is plentiful redemption.

And he will redeem Israel

from all his iniquities.

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— ² assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ³ how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. ⁴ When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. ⁶ This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

⁷ Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. ⁸ To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, ¹⁰ so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹ This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. ¹³ So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. – Ephesians 3:1-13

Perhaps you’ve been part of a progressive reveal party. It started for one woman when her husband told her on morning, “Pack your bags for a five night stay. Bring clothes for warm weather, including your swimsuit.” The day started with a trip to the airport. Somehow he managed to keep her from learning their destination for a period of time. When they landed they were in Hawaii. It was an early celebration of her birthday!

When she woke up that morning she had no idea of what would come her way. We’re in much the same situation. We have no idea what God is planning for us day by day. One day unfolds like the other. But who knows what tomorrow will bring? We have some idea of God’s good will. He has made promises about the day of redemption.

We know we’re heaven bound because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We know it will be gloriously wonderful. Streets paved with gold. A heavenly feast of grand celebration. But we are also told, “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears” (1 John 3:2). There is yet a mystery to be revealed.

Throughout the ages of the Old Testament the people of God anticipated the coming of the Messiah. They knew something of his coming, but had no idea of what he would actually look like. In fact, they were hard-heartedly wrong in their expectations and rejected the true Son of God.

Imagine life in Egypt the day prior to the Exodus. Could they have known what God had in store for them? First elated, then worry about the pressing Egyptian army and the Red Sea. Fearing all was lost only to see the sea parted and a way made for their escape. And so it goes. One day after another. One time after another. God reveals a bit more of his plan. Another page is turned. Another mystery unfolds.

Then comes the message of Jesus to the Gentiles. They had no idea until God revealed it to them through Paul. Then comes their joy at the Good News of their salvation and their place at the table with the Jewish believers.

What will tomorrow bring for us? Trouble? Perhaps. Challenge? No doubt. But there will be a day when a new unfolding of God’s grace will make its presence known. We will marvel in delight on that Great Day.

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— ² assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ³ how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. ⁴ When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. ⁶ This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

⁷ Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. ⁸ To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, ¹⁰ so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹ This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. ¹³ So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. – Ephesians 3:1-13

I couldn’t wait to tell everyone. The news was good, and a weight of worry had been lifted from my shoulders. Our son’s sweat chloride tests came back “negative.” When you have a medical test, “negative” is a good thing to hear! He didn’t have cystic fibrosis. I wanted to call my sisters, my mom, our friends and church members, “Stephen’s OK. He doesn’t have CF!”

The implications of that good news are more far-reaching than you might imagine. If he had CF it would mean that both Diane and I had the recessive gene that causes this dread disease. It means that our family members would quite possibly have the recessive gene as well. The bad news would roll out over many people and even shape decisions for generations to come. CF is a dread disease. And we were spared its grave consequences.

The Good News of Jesus’ love, sacrificial death for our sins, and his resurrection from the grave are truly good news for all people. Those who believe in him have the promise of eternal life. When he returns at the end of time we who are his will rejoice forever in praise of his glorious grace. We need to spread this Good News to everyone.

Your neighbor needs to hear this Good News. So does your boss, your children, spouse, co-worker, friend, and even your enemy. But so does someone else it seems. Paul was given the task of sharing the Good News with the Gentiles “so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

I heard of a unique approach to the drug war. A community near a park was beset with drug dealers, pimps and vandals. They would call the police and the problem would abate for a few hours. A creative person convinced their neighbors to try a different approach. They started playing classical music. Symphonies, concertos, canons, and fugues filled the air. Not too loud, but loud enough to cause the drug dealers and others to find a different place to ply their trades.

When we sing praise to God angels rejoice and demons retreat in aversion. Next time you sing a hymn or Christian song, next time you praise God, next time you acknowledge Jesus to be Lord consider how far-reaching that really is. Angels rejoice. Saints and martyrs join in your praise. Satan and his minions recoil in anguish.

I like the thought of that.

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— ² assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ³ how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. ⁴ When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. ⁶ This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

⁷ Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. ⁸ To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, ¹⁰ so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹ This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. ¹³ So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. – Ephesians 3:1-13

Perhaps you recognize the name Dan Rather. He actually has Houston roots, and received some notoriety when he first signed his contract with CBS News. He was on the cover of the February 25, 1980 issue of Time magazine, emblazoned with the words “$8,000,000 Man.” He ended his career in some disgrace, signing off the air on Wednesday, March 9, 2005 with the word, “Courage.” He said that these words were for the sake of a country that was facing challenges at home and abroad. It was a return for him to the one-word sign-off that he had used for a week early in his career.

Courage: You don’t have to be the lion in the Wizard of Oz movie to lack it. You don’t even have to be facing fierce enemies, or clear and present dangers. You need courage whenever you feel the undertow of Satan’s ploys. The fear can begin subtly, and quickly grow to sheer terror. Courage.

I’m reminded of the hymn, In Christ Alone:

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

Songwriters: Keith Getty / Stuart Townend
In Christ Alone lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group

Paul speaks of the need for courage in the face of his sufferings. We may at first dismiss this as unnecessary, but consider this: If Paul suffers this way, what might become of those who have followed his teachings? What if he – under duress – gives them up? What if those who wish to silence the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection resort to oppression and persecution?

There is reason to fear these days. A baker is forced to say things he disavows. San Francisco prohibits travel of city employees to any state that has a heartbeat law. Family values and godly morality are attacked regularly on TV and by Hollywood. Violence threatens our schools and people riot in the streets. The church is challenged on every side and many are in sharp decline.

These threats are real, but we need not lose heart. The love of God, the fellowship of believers, and the hope of the resurrection are the sources of courage. Consider especially the fellowship of believers, for the message here is that the Gentile believers are part of a body of believers which is one in Christ.

That calls for courage on the part of the persecuted and threatened, and encouragement on the part of the rest of the body – whether they are Jew or Gentile. I’m led now to consider who among my brothers and sisters in Christ might feel threatened, and how I might encourage them. They might not be part of my tribe, but if they are part of the body of Christ, the redeemed the fellowship of believers, they are my brothers and sisters in Christ. And if I can help them to keep their hearts strong, I want to do that.

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— ² assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ³ how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. ⁴ When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. ⁶ This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

⁷ Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. ⁸ To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, ¹⁰ so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹ This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. ¹³ So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. – Ephesians 3:1-13

We had a bad habit years ago. We would watch the TV evening news in bed, and then M*A*S*H immediately afterward. We joked about trying to turn off the TV before the beginning notes of the M*A*S*H theme song came through the speakers. We didn’t manage to succeed until they stopped running reruns of the show. Now we don’t even watch the TV news. It’s so sensational, focusing on dramatic Late Breaking News of freeway accidents, gang shootings, apartment fires, and high-speed chases. Late breaking it may be. But important? No.

In the context of the sweep of history the message of Jesus is late-breaking news. Yes, it’s 2000 years old. Yes, it’s been proclaimed week in and week out from church pulpits and in Sunday School classes. Yes, missionaries and everyday people have witnessed to Jesus’ love daily. But this is late breaking – especially in view of eternity.

My friend says, “Eternity lasts a long, long time.” So this mystery of God’s love in Jesus that was first revealed explicitly 2000 years ago is not only late-breaking, it is far-reaching. The impact of this good news bent the arc of history. This revelation of the mystery changed the course of people’s eternal destiny. Late breaking and far-reaching.

This late-breaking news is especially late-breaking and truly new-news to those who are outside the fellowship of believers. We cannot overstate this – although we are likely to think little of it. When a person is brought to faith they recognize this as profoundly new and late-breaking. The older they are the more obviously late-breaking it is.

Do you know someone who is apart from the fellowship of believers? Do they know the real story of Jesus? They need to hear this late-breaking news in a way that is neither sensational nor trivial. This is real good news. Late-breaking and far-reaching: We are partakers of the promises of God from the beginning of time and reaching through the span of eternity.

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— ² assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ³ how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. ⁴ When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. ⁶ This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

⁷ Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. ⁸ To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, ¹⁰ so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹ This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. ¹³ So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. – Ephesians 3:1-13

We used to watch BBC mystery programs on Sunday night. Whether it was Sherlock Holmes, Poirot, or Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle, there were several common characteristics. The plots were tight and complex. The bad guys clearly evil, but no match for the prowess of the detectives, and before the program was ended I was asleep! I claimed to have enjoyed these, but there may be a valid argument due to the fact that I seldom saw the entire episode! When the mystery was solved, in fact, I was often unable to put the pieces together – even after it was revealed.

There is a deeper and more profound mystery in the person of Jesu Christ. Paul – a great mind, thoughtful scholar, and religious expert – says that the mystery of Christ is that we Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 

This is a greater mystery than any of our favorite fictional detectives could ever solve. Here is a quote that begins to get at that. Commenting on an idea of appointing an ambassador to Christians, Rosenberg wrote:

“That makes Jesus,” wrote Rosenberg, “known in Hebrew as Yeshua – the world’s most famous and beloved Israeli, and the New Testament the best-selling Israeli book in the history of mankind.”

That’s a mystery and a sublime joy to this fact. Joe doesn’t think of Jesus as a Jew. Thomas thinks Jesus was a Jew, but is no longer. Mary knows Jesus was a Jew and that he is the fulfillment of all that the Jewish people were to have been. Many more people are like Thomas and Joe. Few think of Jesus as Jewish and fewer still consider us who are not Jewish to be Gentiles.

So this is the standing mystery: Christ is our key to the eternal blessings of God. He is that for all people. Let’s not fall asleep while we consider that mystery!