David Bahn – Reflections

[Speaking to the crowd in Jerusalem Paul says,] “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. ⁴ I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, ⁵ as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

⁶ “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. ⁷ And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ ⁸ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’⁹ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. ¹⁰ And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ ¹¹ And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

How do you do with glitz? Do neon signs, razzle-dazzle lasers, and fancy LED lights get your attention? Whether at a rock concert, an entertainment mecca, or megapolis business district, lights and signs are designed to point us to an event, product, or opportunity for others to gain from our attention. The lights of Hollywood or Times Square can blind us to the financial and spiritual poverty from which they spring.

Not so the light of God. God’s light is for the purpose of bringing us to him, to bless and guide us, for our eternal great good. As Paul is describing his conversion (the second of three accounts of it in the book of Acts), he makes it clear that the light from heaven blinded him – and not just figuratively-speaking. God’s light from heaven will blind Paul so that he is unable to chart his own course, make his own decisions, or act independently from others. In fact, he is about to have to rely on the very people he was seeking to persecute. But this is only the starting point.

The Psalmist says of God, “in your light do we see light” (Psalm 36:9). Paul’s blindness is actually an enlightening moment that he needed in order to see clearly that he wasn’t in control; that he needed actually to listen to God, and not his own self-righteous impulses. He needed also to learn that when he sought to harm Jesus’ followers, he was harming Jesus himself. That was a significant revelation to Paul. Jesus was alive. He is Lord. He loves and cares for his people – even suffering in their persecution.

This enlightening moment will prove to be a moment of major repentance, but it is only the first half of a complete turn-around in Paul’s life. For Paul will not only be laid low in this event, but as such he will be set up to hear incredible good news. He will learn of God’s mercy: he isn’t just wrong; God has a better path planned for him. He will serve the cause of Christ’s mission.

Perhaps you’ve experienced this sort of extreme comeuppance in your life. Maybe you’ve had to be led by the hand, and wait for God’s next step in your life. Maybe the glitz and glamor of the world has even blinded you to a deeper poverty from which God desires to deliver you. Be sure of this: God’s intent is not merely to blind, or bring you down. He had great plans for Paul. God has great plans for all people who seek him and come in an attitude of humility and faith into the light of his mercy, grace, love, and salvation.

When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!” – Acts 21:27-36

I am a student of Church Growth. Now much out of favor with many, this discipline is useful and salutary for those who wish to remove barriers to people’s access to God and worship. It is true: church growth principles can be used to help a Lion’s Club be more successful. It is also true, however, that insights about how the church grows can help churches be more effective in their mission and ministry efforts. That doesn’t seem to be a bad thing to my way of thinking.

There is a danger, however, in an indiscriminate use of principles that essentially market the church, seeking to do whatever one can to attract people to the church. Certainly we ought not to make worship confusing, nor should we hide the restrooms, or try to be unfriendly to guests and visitors to our services. But we need somehow to convey the fact that it is a high and holy privilege to worship God. We’re not doing him a favor when we show up for church services. He is. And he shows up in order to do that.

Which brings me to Paul and Trophimus the Ephesian, whose supposed presence in the temple, instigated by Paul stirs up quite a conflagration. By the time it is unraveled, Paul is under guard, carried by soldiers, while the people call for his death. The ESV Study Bible notes:

The Jews from Asia (v. 27) charged Paul with defiling the temple by taking a Gentile (“Trophimus the Ephesian,” v. 29) beyond the stone barrier that divided the outer courtyard (Court of the Gentiles) from the inner sanctuary, which was off-limits to Gentiles, under penalty of death. But their accusation was a lie. Paul, knowing of the death penalty, would not have brought a Gentile into the forbidden area.

One commentator suggests that they shut the gates (v. 30) so that they would not desecrate the temple by murdering Paul there. I guess it’s OK to murder, just don’t do it in the temple! It could also be, however, that this was a move to prevent other gentiles from entering the temple. In either case, however, there is certainly a strong awareness of the sacredness of the temple. One does not saunter nonchalantly into the presence of God. But maybe they took it a bit too far.

When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple which divided the Holy of Holies from the rest of the sacred area was torn in two. God was saying by that act, that Jesus had provided direct access to God.

While it remains true that no one can approach God who is not totally holy and perfectly pure and righteous, it is also true that God’s gift to the world is the righteousness of Jesus, which we receive through faith. He provides full and free access to the Father. In fact the throne of God is now called a throne of grace, which we can approach boldly through Jesus.

The Jews of Paul’s day hadn’t quite worked that through. But today we may approach God boldly and with confidence in his mercy and love.

When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. ¹⁸ On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.¹⁹ After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. ²⁰ And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, ²¹ and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. ²² What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. ²³ Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; ²⁴ take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. ²⁵ But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.” ²⁶ Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them. – Acts 21:17-26

My board of elders in a former church were good men. Few in number but strong in their commitment to the church and their love for me, they were a blessing. Once in a while it was really good to have them also as allies. Yes, there were those who really did challenge my ministry and leadership in that church. Once one of the elders (now sainted) spoke of a member (now also sainted), “Joe’s [not his real name] hurting the church. I’ll talk to him.” Joe was grumbling a lot about me and my leadership priorities and programs.

Not too many days later I saw my elder-ally outside the church speaking with Joe. He had his finger pointing in his chest and was taking no prisoners. I heard little more grumbling from Joe. It’s good to have allies!

My situation was no where near as severe as Paul’s, and his allies were similarly more vital. The question Paul faced was akin to what we have heard of and experienced in the church today when one group accuses another of actions that tear at the fabric of the church’s traditions and practices. Sometimes those need to be torn away to be sure. Other times, however, they need to be treated more tenderly and carefully.

On this occasion Paul will go with these men who have taken a vow. His presence with them will show those who question Paul’s legitimacy and faithfulness that he has not abandoned the faith, nor is he intent on undercutting every Jewish tradition.

This is much the same posture as Martin Luther took when certain people wanted to tear down everything in the church that reminded them of the influence of the Roman Catholic Church. That was not Luther’s desire. He, too, was protected by allies (Frederich the Wise of Saxony).

It’s sad to say that there are times when we need allies, people who will stand with us in the heat of the battle or sting of accusations. This is especially true when the continuation of the mission of God is at stake.

When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. ⁸ On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. ⁹ He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. ¹⁰ While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” ¹² When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”¹⁴ And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

¹⁵ After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶ And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge. – Acts 21:7-16

When I talk to couples who are getting ready to be married, I will ask him whether he would be willing to stand in the way of someone who was going to try to harm his fiancé – even to the point of physical harm, or possibly even death. Frequently the man will strongly avow his willingness to protect his future bride. I like to offer a challenge to this willingness to sacrifice for her sake. “Will you turn off the TV and listen to her and talk through an issue that is on her heart – even if your favorite team is playing? Ugh. It’s easy to talk big when the threat isn’t all that real or present. But when it becomes a real possibility…that’s often another matter altogether!

Paul is facing a very real and present danger as he approaches Jerusalem. This is attested to by the Spirit-led disciples of Tyre and the affirmation of the Spirit’s warning by the prophet Agabus. Paul will face grave danger if he insists on going to Jerusalem.

But Paul is ready not only to face the danger, but even to die for the sake of Jesus Christ. Perhaps he is aware of God’s word to Ananias: “I will show [Paul] how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:16). It is likely, also, that he is determined to act in good faith regarding the monies collected in Corinth for relief of the saints in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8 & 9).

Whatever the case, Paul is heading to Jerusalem, willing to make the greatest sacrifice for the sake of Jesus. He will go to Jerusalem, be in grave danger and flee from there – ultimately appealing to Caesar, and as a result end up in Rome. It is said that he did ultimately offer his life for the cause of Jesus. Paul isn’t all talk. He won’t brag about his bravery in the face of danger. He will face it, and we are the richer for it. For God used this man to spread the Word across the Roman Empire.

It is likely that most of us will not face the possibility of giving up our life for the sake of the gospel. But there may be other smaller dangers we will need to face, and sacrifices we can make for the sake of the Gospel. May the Holy Spirit sustain us and give us courage whenever these times come.

And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. ² And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. ³ When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. ⁴ And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. ⁵ When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed ⁶ and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home. – Acts 21:1-6

For the most part I have stayed out of places where danger lurks – especially when I’ve been warned. That wasn’t the case, however, when Diane and I were in Paris. We were in search of a SIM card for our cell phone, and were very unfamiliar with the city. We didn’t know particular neighborhoods or shopping areas. We managed to find a small store which had the SIM card but when we went in there were signs we should probably not tried to do business there. We should not have even been in that part of the city; it was a strongly Islamic area and we even encountered a demonstration in one roundabout as we got out of the area! We just should not have gone there.

This was the message to Paul about a very familiar place to which he was traveling: “Don’t go there!” I notice that this message is conveyed by the group of Jesus’ followers in Tyre, “by the Spirit“. Paul, however, is bound and determined to go to Jerusalem. He is not to be dissuaded from this destination. He was going to Jerusalem – even if the Holy Spirit led people to tell him not to go.

Paul’s insistence on going there – even against the advice of Spirit-led disciples – has to be put into the category of human stubbornness of will. The Ephesian elders have bid him farewell not knowing whether they would ever see him again. He is warned in Tyre not to go. There seems to be no one else who wants him to go to Jerusalem. But Paul will go. No matter what.

It’s a good thing that God can use such people. Stubborn people like Paul, Martin Luther, and sometimes even yours truly. There are times when we simply have our minds set on a thing which may not be morally wrong, but outside of God’s will for us. Going to Jerusalem, moving to a new job, marrying someone too early in our lives: these are the kinds of things (not autobiographical) that may not be morally wrong, but might possibly be a path other than God’s will for us. Thankfully God can work through our willfulness – just as he will here.

Paul will go to Jerusalem. It will also be a launching pad for his trip to Rome – through a very convoluted series of events, and against the odds of conspiracy and efforts to undercut his ministry and even take his life. It is possible that had Paul not gone to Jerusalem, he would have also gotten to Rome in a more peaceful and less-conflict-ridden way. We’ll never know. But what we do know – thanks be to God – is that God can work through all kinds of people to accomplish his work.

This is not a call for foolish stubbornness. It is certainly better to go where common sense and good advice would lead us. But at least on this occasion, Paul will continue beyond Jerusalem to serve the cause of the rule and reign of Christ. Thanks be to God!

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. And when they came to him, he said to them:
“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. – Acts 22:17-38

Early in my ministry I found myself in the crosshairs of no small amount of accusation. There were those who considered me less than what I ought to be as their pastor and had no trouble letting me and others know about it. For a while it became so intense that I decided to provide a written defense of some of the actions I had taken. After I wrote it, however, I did not share it immediately with anyone in the church. Instead, I shared it with a respected colleague. He took it, read it, and when he handed it back to me he said, “I have written a thing or two like that in my time. But I wouldn’t publish it. Keep it handy and be ready to read from it if the time comes. Otherwise someone might take it and find things to use against you.”

That turned out to be good advice. I never even had to read it out loud. But I had it at the ready in case I needed to refer to it.

Paul’s experience in bidding farewell proves to be an opportunity to defend his ministry in a much better context. He is not merely speaking about the things he did or did not do, but by doing so, he is instructing the Ephesian Elders (and offering us today good advice and a truly-Christian approach to mission work.

Some of the things he offers:

• 
He will move forward in the mission of God even though he did not know what lay before him. Courage.
• He has and will continue to proclaim the full truth of God that leads people to repentance and faith.
• He urges the Ephesian elders to attend to themselves and to the people under their care so that they may persevere in the faith.
• He reminds them of his demonstrated love for them as shown by his three years of ministry among them.
• He refers to Jesus’ teaching that it is more blessed to give than receive (one of a very few sayings of Jesus that is found outside the Gospels).
• He leaves them after a prayer, departing by ship.

The challenging thing for any true follower of Jesus is to hold oneself up as an example without appearing to be self-righteous. On the other hand we are to be an example to one another of true love and faithfulness to God. Paul seems clearly to have landed on a matter-of-fact summary of his ministry and missionary activity. He is not bragging. He is offering an example that is worthy of our embrace – both in what he showed by his life and the fact that he showed it at all.

I hope somehow to offer that kind of example to others, in a humble sort of way. In all this – as with Paul – it is my desire to lift up Christ and encourage others to follow him.

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. ¹⁸ And when they came to him, he said to them:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; ²⁰ how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, ²¹ testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. ²² And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, ²³ except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. ²⁴ But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. ²⁵ And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. ²⁶ Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, ²⁷ for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. ²⁸ Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. ²⁹ I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; ³⁰ and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. ³¹ Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. ³² And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ³³ I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. ³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. ³⁵ In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

³⁶ And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.³⁷ And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, ³⁸ being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. – Acts 20:17-38

A friend and respected colleague of mine offered 10 farewell sermons to his congregation before retiring. They were on different subjects or facets of the Christian faith that were dear to him, and that he wanted to leave with the congregation he had served for many, many years. Knowing him, I’m certain they were well-thougth-out and very edifying. But, boy! That’s a long farewell.

Paul offers a significant farewell to the Ephesian elders – so significant that Luke records a large portion of his comments. Several things he mentions are notable, and near the beginning he points to his main message: a call to “repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Luther observed that repentance has two parts: we are sorry for our sins, and we put our faith in Jesus Christ. Contrition and faith are the two essential elements of repentance. Paul refers to both of them here. Perhaps this is exactly where Luther got that idea. Whatever the case, however, these two moves: turning toward God (away from sin), and placing our faith in Jesus Christ is a life-long calling for the follower of Jesus. Paul lifts this up in his initial comments to them.

That dual move is the foundation for all of Christian life. We may face challenges to our faith; sometimes even from within our church. We may have to defend ourselves from the wolves who are Satan’s servants seeking to devour and destroy the work of God in our hearts. But it comes down, always and in the end, to repentance and faith.

Here is the good news in all of this: Although repentance is a life-long calling for the follower of Jesus, faith in Jesus rests on his righteousness and faithfulness, mercy and forgiveness – which never runs out. We may wonder how it is that we constantly need to repent – sometimes of the same sin, again and again. But we never need wonder whether Jesus is ready to receive us. He is ready, and he delights when we turn to him in repentance and faith.

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. ⁸ There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. ⁹ And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. ¹⁰ But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” ¹¹ And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. ¹² And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.

¹³ But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. ¹⁴ And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. ¹⁵ And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. ¹⁶ For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. – Acts 20:7-16

I am not wired for lingering conversations when it’s time to go. That’s not true of other people. In fact I recently had a conversation with a woman who admitted (with no sense of deficiency or guilt) that she was a dawdler. She grew up in a country and culture where people lingered and talked. There was always tomorrow in her world. Not me. I’m ready to take the hill. I want to see things happen. In this account Paul seems to show the latter kind of mentality as he continues to make his way to Jerusalem.

Before he leaves, however, he will preach… a long, long sermon if you will. And Eutychus falls asleep and falls out the window to his apparent death. He is the preacher’s favorite object lesson about not falling asleep in church: You never know if you’ll fall out the window and nearly die if you fall asleep in church! Eutychus’ lesson is much more far-reaching than that however. His experience and Paul’s intervention seem to be almost a passing non-event, rather than a miraculous intervention of Jesus’ power through Paul. In the end, after the fall and “resurrection”, they were comforted – no doubt. But little more is said. Paul is on his way. The reminder of this section is a travelogue indicating where Paul went and that he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, hopefully by Pentecost.

Perhaps this is a lesson in continuing to move forward, seeking to get some particular place by some particular time. That vibrates well with me; I tend to be a let’s get going and accomplish something kind of guy. I sometimes miss smelling the roses along the way. I can easily miss the deeper conversations that might enrich me as I pursue another goal. That’s not always good. But there are times when we must get a move on and move forward. It may not be so much having a ho-hum response to the miraculous, as it is a “let’s keep pursuing the goal” mentality that moves the church forward.

I thank God for those who enjoy the trip, and even slow me down once in a while to encourage me to see what God is doing along the path. But it is easier for me to keep moving forward as much as possible in the mission God has given me as a follower of Jesus. Perhaps that’s the key: Don’t go any faster or slower than Jesus is moving. That is the perfect pace.

And God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light. And God saw that it was good. – Genesis 1:3-4

Every year the members of the Northwest Houston Photo Club (of which I am a member) are invited to put together a portfolio of their work and submit it – first for public view and then for a private one-on-one review with several professional photographers. Each year I have produced a group of 10-12 photos that more often than not feature flowers or other God-made things. This year, I am departing from that normal focus and have put together a portfolio featuring photographs from the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, located in Berlin, Germany. Here are those photos for your viewing. My artist statement is at the bottom of this page.

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Artist Statement

Views of The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

David Bahn
2017

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial, is located in Berlin, Germany. Designed by architect Peter Eisenman and engineer Buro Happold, it occupies a 4.7-acre site covered with 2,711 concrete slabs or “stelae”, arranged in a grid pattern on a sloping field. The stelae are 7 ft 10 in. long, 3 ft 1 in. wide and vary in height from 7.9 in. to 15 ft., 5 in. They are organized in rows: 54 of them going north–south, and 87 heading east–west at right angles but set slightly askew. We had heard of this memorial and wanted to see it, but were stunned to silence when we actually came upon it. I knew immediately I wanted to produce a portfolio from the photos I took while we were there.

The number of stelae (2,711) is a prime number. For that reason, I chose to highlight 11 images (also a prime number) for this portfolio. Because there are several ways to encounter and process this memorial, I chose not to have all the images in black and white, and not all in landscape orientation.

I began to take a serious interest in photography while a junior in high school. I more often photograph flowers, landscapes and other things of creation. These images mark a departure from my normal focus, and I hope those who see this portfolio will take a few moments of silence to grieve the great tragedy this memorial represents. Perhaps one might also consider whether there are any modern-day parallels to the brutal genocide which these stelae represent. Persecution and slaughter of Jews, Muslims, Christians, the unborn, or any racial, or other ethnic-cleansing efforts come to my mind.

October 2017

After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. ² When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. ³ There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. ⁴ Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. ⁵ These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, ⁶ but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. – Acts 20:1-6

We were traveling in Kenya with the Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya. The Secretary General, and several other important dignitaries – including the President of the Lutheran Church of Uganda – were with us as first we traveled by air from Nairobi to Kisumu, and then from there to Oyugis, a village south of Kisumu, stopping (not really on the way) at the Lutheran theological school in Sondu. It was quite an entourage, and the travel was quite an ordeal, but the outcome was well worth it. We taught pastors and their wives about the mission of God, faithfulness, and servant leadership, and were very well-received in the process. Some of the benefit of having other church leaders along for the conference was that they became interested in bringing the PLI International experience to their churches and pastors.

Paul’s entourage was quite possibly put together for a different purpose. As you compare his comments in 1 Corinthians 16, and 2 Corinthians 8 & 9, it seems that his companions are with him at least in part to lend credibility to his efforts to collect an offering for the saints in Jerusalem. He wanted it to be clear that he was not usurping authority in the process of gathering the offerings, nor was he going to put himself in a position to be questioned as to how he handled the funds entrusted to him. These companions served to encourage him, validate his mission for the people of the area churches (they seem possibly to be representatives from these various churches), and helped give greater confidence that the funds were being properly handled.

Paul could have insisted that he didn’t need anyone to accompany him. He could have told the people he wasn’t afraid to die in the mission to which the Holy Spirit had called him, and gone it alone. Instead, however, he seems to welcome the companionship. It’s possible that he realized that their presence would thwart any robbery attempt!

Entourages are kind of fun; sometimes even impressive. Better yet are brothers and sisters in Christ who will stand shoulder to shoulder with us in the mission to which God has called us – for protection, encouragement, and endorsement of us and our mission. Jesus didn’t send the disciples out alone; he sent them two-by-two. There were three with whom he was especially close: Peter, James, and John. Then the twelve, and the 72, the 120 (Acts 1:15). We are best when we are not alone, and that’s true in the transition from one missionary effort to another – as in this case – or in the throes of the missional battles in which Paul has engaged will soon will again.

Thank God for those fellow missionaries who travel the Way with us!