David Bahn – Reflections

Those who counsel peace have joy. – Proverbs 12:20

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9

Several pastor friends of mine have, “Peace” as their closing in letters and emails. Sometimes I wish I had defaulted to that, for it is a word rich in meaning and substance. From the Old Testament Shalom to the New Testament eirḗnē the richness of the concept stretches from wholeness, fullness, health, to being tied together as a whole. It has to do with much more than an absence of conflict, or a cessation of tumult – though those are delightful facets of the term. It is a matter of the heart that can transcend turmoil, withstand worry, and prevail in the face of problems we face daily.

It is a breath of fresh air when someone comes into our lives who brings us peace, wholeness, fullness of being, and health. Contrast that with a cranky boss, a troublesome neighbor, a grumpy husband, or a sullen teenage daughter. These peace-robbers take the wind out of our sails and suck the joy out of life! What a blessing it is when we live in peace! How great life is when we are able to keep our equilibrium when the world is spinning all around us.

That being the case, consider what an honor it is to be a person of peace for someone else. Who, more than a grumpy boss or a troublesome coworker needs someone who brings peace into his or her life? What if you could be that person of peace in the life of a person with a troubled heart and tumultuous life? What if you could show yourself to be a child of God in the crowd of troublemakers all around you?

When I was in a Clinical Pastoral Education program, I served as a hospital chaplain. On one occasion the family of a three year old girl had to cope with her impending death, and wished to have her baptized before she died. As I hurriedly arranged for that, my CPE supervisor asked, “Do you think they need more turmoil and anxiety in their lives right now, or more peace?” I’ve tried never to forget that question, the obvious answer to which is that they needed more peace, and I could mediate peace through my demeanor as well as my words and ministry of baptism.

If we are to do this at least two things need to happen. First we need to embrace God’s gift of peace through Jesus Christ. In the moment. Breathe. Relax. Power down. Be still and know that God is. God is good. God is faithful. God is present. God has shown all that in the life, suffering, death, resurrection, and promised second-coming of Jesus. Embrace that gift…by faith. It’s yours. Then, consider how your grumpy co-worker needs peace more than you think of how he undercuts your happiness. Think of him as one to whom God wishes to bring peace – even as he has brought peace to you. Consider how God might well use your calm demeanor in the midst of the maelstrom of trouble that is swirling in her life. Extend the blessing of God’s peace. Invite him to relax. Offer to pray for her. Assure the troubled of the grace and mercy of God. Embrace that yourself, then share the peace you have received. And remember, “Those who counsel peace have joy.” What a blessing!

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I put my hope in your words. – Psalm 119:147

Paul wrote: Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. – Philippians 4:6

Few of us sign up for suffering and persecution. Few of us want to awaken in the middle of the night or early in the morning with worries, concerns, burdens, or troubled hearts. It is in these times, however, that God’s word, promises, comfort, and presence are most precious. In fact – though we would rather live otherwise – the valley of the shadow of death is a truly good place. It is in those moments our need for the presence and protection of God is clear.

Truth is, however, we need God’s presence, protection, the hope of his word, and promise of his provision all the time. We may more readily recognize it in times of adversity. But we cannot take a breath apart from God’s fatherly divine goodness and mercy, his providential care for us and all of creation, and his upholding of the world with the might of his power.

If someone gives you a blank check, assures you that you can fill in any amount, and use it for whatever purpose you desire, you might be able to dream of a use. If, however, you are facing bankruptcy, financial ruin, or imminent major expenses, the task would be clearer, and the gift might be even more appreciated.

One benefit of being in urgent need and grave circumstances is our tendency to look to God for help. An even greater benefit to us at all times is God’s willingness to hear us when we call – in good times or difficult situations.

So the question comes…is there something for which you should not be praying today? God’s heart is wide open to us; that’s his promise!

Reuben said to his brothers, “Shed no blood.” – Genesis 37:22

Jesus said, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:36

I have no heart for politics. The battlefield is too brutal. The lines are poorly and inaccurately drawn. The tactics are too ruthless. This was especially true in last year’s Republican primary and general election processes. Things were said that were harsh, untrue, unkind, hurtful, and defamatory. With few exceptions this was true of every candidate.

Several years ago I was involved in a political effort to prevent the state of Arkansas from instituting a lottery. The group of pastors with whom I met were schooled by a political expert who simply said, “Like it or not, elections are won by negative campaigning. You’ll have to go negative to beat this thing.” We did that. And in that case I have a clear conscience. The tactic was not to call out those who play the lottery sinners, but to point out that the lottery appeals to those who can least afford it. It’s a tax on the poor.

Sometimes mercy looks like that: speaking out against those who oppress the poor; defending those who cannot speak for themselves.

More often, however, mercy looks like putting away the sword, backing off the attack, letting up on the pursuit of an enemy. Mercy is different from grace – though they are cousins of compassion. Grace is giving someone something he or she does not deserve. Mercy is relieving someone’s pain, not pushing for complete annihilation.

God is both gracious and merciful. His is also full of both grace and truth.We’ve all been in dark hours in our lives, straying from God’s ways. Thank God for his forgiveness and mercy! Our calling is to be like him. Though we may never fully meet his perfect standard, we can rejoice in his mercy to us, and seek however we can to reflect his mercy to others.

You, our God, have been just in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly. – Nehemiah 9:33

Paul wrote: When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy. – Titus 3:4–5

I want to be more edgy, to have a clearer focus, to be more creative in my writing, teaching, and preaching. There are two factors influencing this desire. One is an encounter with a website, ChristHoldFast. This group are gospel-centered, grace-focused, creative and challenging all at the same time. That’s a combination I particularly appreciate, and I want to up my game in that regard. These desires and inspirations come together with my a focus in 2017 as The Year of Good News.

The Year of Good News

In 1517 a Roman Catholic Monk took a stand against the corruption he saw in the Church of his day, and soon discovered that there was a problem beyond corruption, greed, and power mongering. The message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was at stake. He railed against the sale of indulgences, the teaching that we must do good works in order to be saved, that the Bible was not the only source of truth, and that only the priests could mediate God’s grace and favor. Speaking out against all these things ultimately got him excommunicated, and made him a hero of the German people. Today millions of people call themselves Lutherans – a term of derision offered by those who sought to shut him up and stop his work. He is famously known for three or four “solos” (as in “alone”):

Salvation by

• grace alone; through
• faith alone; centered in
• Christ alone; revealed in
• Scripture alone.

With all that in mind, these verses from the Moravian Daily Texts offer an opportunity to reflect on the Good News with an Edge. The edge is while God has always acted faithfully, we have acted wickedly. Yet in his mercy, God has saved us. We can claim no cause for God’s goodness, mercy, love, or salvation. That means that we are wicked, evil sinners. It should not surprise us when that leaks out in our relationships with others, or is visited on us in other’s relationships with us. As the ChristHoldFast blog says, “you are a greater sinner than you think (Isaiah 64:6-7) and the good news that Christ is a greater savior than you can imagine (Romans 5:6-11).”

What if we were to embrace both of these truths strongly? It would put an end to hubris and arrogance. It would raise up a paean of praise to God from our hearts – whatever is going on in our lives here and now. Bad things happening? Why would we expect anything else: we’re sinners in a sinful world. God’s grace, love, mercy and salvation given to us? What more could we ask for? An eternal experience of God’s love without the intrusion of sin, sickness, sorrow, suffering, Satan is that which Jesus has won for us.

In the meantime, how do we live? Seems to me that this calls for humility, thankfulness, compassion toward others, and a desire some how to help others experience the blessings of God’s mercy and love.

A Note About These Blog Post Bible Passages

I regularly use the Moravian Daily Texts for these blog posts. They provide two readings every day, which I read, consider, and the write about here. Each day there is an Old Testament which offers some sort of promise, encouragement, admonition or comfort. Then comes a New Testament text which contains some point of Christian teaching to expand on the Old Testament text. 

More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters, more majestic than the waves of the sea, majestic on high is the Lord! – Psalm 93:4

[Jesus says,] “In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” – John 16:33

I can recall only one time – and that was many years ago – when I was openly and intentionally shown contempt because I was a pastor.On this occasion I was driving out of a gas station parking lot when a man in a pickup truck that was large enough to squash my car, offered me the “one finger salute.” It was clear to me that he was expressing his disrespect and contempt for me because I happened to be wearing a clerical shirt with the obvious pastor color. I don’t recall that he had made a mocking sign of the cross, or anything else, but it was pretty clear to me that he was making a comment about my profession and calling. I believe that was so, also, because this took place in Utah, and the Mormon assessment of clergy is quite negative. I didn’t take it too personally, but it did sting a bit. Sad for him and for me.

That’s not to say that people have not been disrespectful to me on other occasions. Nor is it to say that people haven’t been contemptuous of me as a person. That seems simply to go along with life for everyone in this world. Everyone rubs up against unkind, disrespectful, and evil people from time to time. Unless you are completely insulated from the world around you, you will experience bad treatment of one kind or another. Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble.” He is right.

Over against that, however, is God. He is majestic, holy, all-powerful, mighty, and glorious. His majesty, however, is not founded on contempt, over-lording power, ruthless or swift retribution. Though there are times when God has expressed his judgment in swift actions of vengeance, God’s ultimate expression of judgment was met out on Jesus on the cross. He crushed his Son rather than us. And Jesus took that punishment willingly; trusting in the goodness of God through it all.

The defeat of evil came in the form of a man of perfect faith and sacrificial love. Jesus conquered the evil world by his love, goodness, faith, and sacrifice. His whole life was lived out as one who believed that God is good…all the time. He never wavered from that, even in his death. Jesus overcame the world, conquered sin, death, and the devil by faith. That faith holds to the goodness of God no matter what. Even when we lose faith – for we all struggle to keep it strong and alive – Jesus perfect righteousness remains our hope. His death and resurrection assures us of our place in the heart of God.

Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” – Jeremiah 1:8

The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. – Luke 19:10

I have never been completely lost. I’ve never been unable to find my way back to the place from which I had come. I’ve been confused. I’ve been disoriented. I’ve made wrong turns. I’ve gone the wrong way – once even driving some distance into Tennessee while on the way to Fort Knox, Kentucky! I just missed the turn. And it was before GPS apps on smartphones! But we just turned around and went back to where we needed to have turned and made our way to our destination. No problem.

But those who get really lost can wind up in grave danger. I hiker gets disoriented on the trail and ends up dying. A hunter gets separated from his buddies, falls, and is unable to find his way back to the camp. Grave. Deadly. Desperate.

The problem with getting lost, however, is that all too often you don’t know when you’ve become lost. When you’re really lost, you can’t just go back ten paces and find your way. Often we don’t know we’re lost until it’s too late. That is the way it is with our broken relationship with God: those who are lost are almost always unaware of it, or if they are aware of it, they have no idea how to get un-lost.

Thank God that he searches for us, seeking and saving the lost. He does that by revealing his heart and his very nature to us through his Son, Jesus Christ. For the way back from being lost is the way of faith; a connection with God and a rescue from God through his love, forgiveness, and sacrificial death and resurrection. He overcomes sin. He overcomes death. He conquers shame. He points us toward the True North of God’s ways and faith.

Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. – Psalm 6:4

Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. – Matthew 9:22

I have seldom felt as though my life was in imminent danger. But one time sticks out vividly. I was a Boy Scout camp and working on a canoeing merit badge. One requirement was to jump off the canoe into the lake, take off your shirt, and make it into a flotation device. No problem: I was actually a fairly decent swimmer, so in I went. Only there was a problem: I got my shirt about 1/2 up over my head and it got stuck! I couldn’t breath, and I was very near panic in water over my head. Fortunately, however, with one final tug I was able to get the shirt off and made into an inflated flotation device. But I remember that moment of terror when I was not sure how to extricate myself.

Imagine that rather than a fleeting moment of panic you had a 12 year chronic illness. Imagine rather than panic the slow death of hope, resignation to a life of one dreaded heart beat after another – wondering if you would ever feel better. No energy. No fun. No close relationships. No one paying you any attention – except to avoid you if at all possible.

Then Jesus comes to town, and he turns and looks at you. Jesus doesn’t avoid you. He doesn’t dismiss you. He doesn’t even tell you to wait till he’s finished with his initial healing errand, heading off to the ruler’s house. Jesus turns and sees you. He sees you.

God is everywhere. Yet he may be found in Jesus of Nazareth, and in his particular healing moment, he has turned to see someone in need, and someone who has faith. God can see everything at all times. His eye is on the sparrow. But sometimes he turns toward those in need, and delivers us.

So often it is we who need to turn to God. We sin. We wander. We forget. We rebel. When we turn back to God in repentant faith, we discover that he has his eye on us and is ready to help us as well. In the mean time – whether in a state of chronic need, or a sudden acute moment of urgent desperation – pray that God will look to you, deliver and save you. He does that because of his steadfast love.

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. – Psalm 146:8

The eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you. – Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)

Some time ago I was sitting at the kitchen table, reading the newspaper, when something started to happen to my vision. I recall the emotional response more than I do the physical details. It was an odd mixture of panic and gratefulness. I was panicked about the possible devastating loss of my vision – how would I get on with life; so much depends on being able to see. At the same time, I was so grateful and awed that God designed our human bodies to be able to see – to take in light, process those light rays, hues, tones, intensities, and colors in such a way that we can see a flower, a bird flitting from branch to branch in the tree outside, the clouds scudding across the sky, and the newspaper or novel we take up and read. I was also grateful that the incident passed quickly, and has not repeated itself since.

The same holds true spiritually; though I’m not certain that the potential loss of spiritual vision is as frightening. Perhaps the loss of spiritual vision is more depressing than frightening. It is likely less sudden and more gradual than my fleeting incident. The absence of spiritual vision is perhaps so normal for many people today that they are more likely to think of those who see hope in Christ as deluded rather than enlightened. Spiritually-blind people quite often think of themselves as the enlightened ones. They see things as they are.

It takes a miracle of God’s Holy Spirit to open the eyes of the blind. It takes God’s intervention – showing a person his blindness, darkening her hope – to awaken someone to the need for new eyes, and a pure hope.

Just last week, we had the opportunity to point people to the Savior of the world, the one in whom all hope and vision is to be found. I am confident that some who were present at one of the five Christmas Eve services were blind to the realities of the Word made flesh, and our true hope in Jesus. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have done that. I pray that the Holy Spirit will have opened their eyes through the message of Jesus’ birth. I thank God for the measure of spiritual vision he has afforded me and all who put their hope in Jesus.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:1-5, 14

Of the Father’s love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.

Oh, that birth forever blessed
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Savior of our race,
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face
Evermore and evermore.

O ye heights of heaven, adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.

This is He whom Heaven-taught singers
Sang of old with one accord;
Whom the Scriptures of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the Long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord
Evermore and evermore.

Christ, to Thee, with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unending praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory
Evermore and evermore.

And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  – Luke 2:16-19

Mary did you know?

Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that her son would be
called the Son of the Most High, and the Son of God;
that he would reign on David’s throne forever (Luke 1:31-35).

Yet could she know he would walk on water?
Could she imagine him stilling the storm with one hand?
Might she have guessed he would heal the blind,
make the lame to walk, and raise the dead?

How could she imagine that a sword would so
pierce her own soul as she watched her son
hang on a cross and die between two criminals?

Can you imagine her delight when three days later
Jesus rose from the dead?

Mary may or may not have known all those things. Be we have the witness of the Scripture telling us that this child whose birth we celebrate today is the Son of God, did all those things, lived a perfect life, died for us and for our salvation, and rose from the dead.

We now live under him in his kingdom and serve him in eternal righteousness, and in anticipation of his second coming at the end of all time.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!