David Bahn – Reflections

Romans 12:9-12

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

On June 21, 1975, Pastor Robert Lange preached our wedding sermon based on Romans 12, focusing on the verses I’ve included above. His theme was, “Rejoicing Along the Way.” He emphasized the need for hope, prayer, and love as we walk with Jesus, along the Way. The Way was first used to describe the earliest followers of Jesus, and he encouraged us to remain true and faithful to Jesus throughout our lives.

We’ve had our fits and starts Along the Way, but Jesus has been our constant, and he has never failed us. We arrive at our 50th wedding anniversary deeply thankful for each other, committed to each other, and ever more thankful for his commitment to us and his perfect faithfulness to us.

To that end a prayer and a verse…

Dear Heavenly Father we join today in giving you thanks and praise for your great love and faithfulness toward us through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. By his faithfulness we have weathered some difficult times, faced some great challenges, and overcome some hard obstacles. But our overwhelming praise to you is for the years and years of blessing, love, and joy we have experienced together as husband and wife. I would never even have made it through seminary without Diane. And Diane might list blessings she has experienced from me. But we both rejoice in the four sons you have given us, their wives, and children: ten grandchildren and one great grandson! And the people you have sent into our lives over the years! Church members we have grown to love, church staff we have bonded with, friends all over the world – such a gift, blessing and joy! As we celebrate today we give you the honor, praise, and glory even as we rejoice in our mutual love for each other. Thank you for all these gifts, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

In Christ Alone – with apologies to Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

In Christ alone our way is made;
He is our hope, our strength, each day.
Our lives are his, his joy is ours –
He gives us grace and staying power.

His love sustains, his mercy binds,
Our boundaries drawn with pleasant lines.
We praise him for gifts from his hand;
Here in his grace and love we stand.

In Christ alone our future’s sure.
We walk with him – safe and secure –
Not in our strength or in our might;
We need his grace to walk in light.

His grace and strength to carry on,
Forgive each one the other’s wrong,
Give us true hope and confidence;
We thank him for our love and bliss.

So here and now, we celebrate
Christ’s love and ours on this gold date.
For fifty years we’ve sung this song,
Loving each other kind and strong.

What joy is ours, what grace divine!
Dear God above let your love shine
Into our hearts and lives so we
May sing together eternally!

– David Bahn
June 20, 2025

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I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Matthew 14; Leviticus 18; Genesis 40; 1 Chronicles 10.

Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,²⁴ but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

²⁸ And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Sometimes faith is heroic. You get out of the boat and walk on water. You touch the fringe of Jesus’ garments. You tell Jesus that even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master’s table. You hear Jesus say, “Great is your faith.”

Then other times faith is weak, frantic, almost ashamed. Peter flails in the water, sinking fast, yelling, “Lord save me!” Disciples exclaiming to Jesus when he tells them they must forgive someone 70X7, “Increase our faith” (cf. Luke 17:5). The father of the demon-possessed boy saying to Jesus, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief” (cf. Mark 9:24 ).

Sometimes faith simply waits. Joseph in prison, having interpreted the Baker’s and the Cupbearer’s dreams, and being forgotten for a time (cf. Genesis 40), until the cupbearer remembers him. Hannah waiting for the birth of a son. Sarah and Abraham waiting (sometimes not waiting) for the birth of the son of God’s promise.

But when faith is placed where it belongs – not in our strength of will or fervency of prayer, but in God – it finds a solid base. But faith falsely-placed is like investing in a Ponzi scheme. You will be left with nothing in the end.

I had that thought today as I reflected on Peter’s cry for help as he was sinking. Jesus reached out his hand and saved him. Joseph was ultimately saved. The woman was healed. The father’s child was healed. Even doubting Thomas was shown a living Lord.

Rather than trusting our own strength, convictions, understanding, or holiness, best we trust in the One who saves, heals, and honors even the weakest faith.

PS: I’m listening to a book called, The Widow Spy, by Megan Campisi. It’s a historical novel about a woman who has hidden her identity and smoothed her persona, including her speech and mannerisms. A line caught me today that may apply indirectly to the issue of faith. “A person gives up a lot to be so smooth.” We don’t have to be smooth to be accepted by God, but we do have to give up on the idea that we can save ourselves in any way other than faith in Jesus.

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I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Matthew 10; Micah 7; Jeremiah 50; 1 Samuel 14.

Matthew 10:34-42

[Jesus says,] “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. ³⁶ And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. ³⁷ Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ³⁸ And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

⁴⁰ “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. ⁴¹ The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

Oh that peace would come to the Middle East. If only the fighting in Ukraine and Russia would cease! Might there be an end to the violent demonstrations in San Francisco and Chicago? Seems everywhere we turn there is war and rumor of war. Our troops and bases are on high alert in the Middle East for fear of Iran’s attack. Many think it’s just a matter of time before another terrorist attack is leveled against the United States.

When Jesus was born the angels proclaimed, “Peace on earth. Good will toward men!” When Jesus appeared to the disciples that first Easter his first word was, “Peace!” When the wind and rains buffeted the boat, Jesus stood up and said, “Peace! Be still.” And all was calm.

But now he tells his disciples that he did not come to bring peace to the earth, but a sword. How can this be?

The fault lies completely with man. Men and women deny him access to their hearts. They want nothing to do with Jesus’ teachings. People within our own households will be divided: some will believe Jesus. Others will reject his claims on their lives.

Jesus knew this would be the case. He knew there would be conflict over him and his teachings. He tells the disciples that right out. If we preach and teach only peace we will be leading people astray. Jesus would not do that.

But neither would he leave his followers without peace, hope, and comfort. There will be those who welcome Jesus’ emissaries. Someone will give a child a cup of water. People will receive the truth of God through his prophets.

So as we take to the streets, we can be sure of God’s provision – even as we should not be surprised by rejection and even persecution in the face of our good intentions and faithful witness. We need not go looking for trouble, but we can be assured of Jesus’ faithfulness, protection, and provision as we join him on his mission.

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I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Matthew 9; Hosea 6; Numbers 27; 2 Chronicles 35.

Matthew 9:1-13

And getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. ² And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” ³ And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” ⁴ But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? ⁵ For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? ⁶ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” ⁷ And he rose and went home. ⁸ When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

⁹ As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

¹⁰ And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. ¹¹ And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹² But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³ Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Two Sundays ago I preached at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Spring, Texas. I used passages from Proverbs, Job, and John’s gospel which speak of friends. I also named some names: Jerry, Lloyd, Gary, and Jim, among others. I spoke of how each of these friends blessed me. They helped me see the truth about myself. They encouraged me to stay the course. They helped me see things more clearly. They refreshed my spirit. Friends are a great treasure. You might say, sometimes our friends carry us through difficult times.

That is certainly what is happening in this encounter with Jesus and the lame man. His friends carry him to Jesus. What a blessing he received from Jesus through their act of merciful service. They literally carried him to Jesus.

Sometimes we need to be carried to Jesus. A friend will pray for us in the time of our illness. A friend will sit with us in our time of grief. A friend will remind us of Jesus’ promises in the face of loss. A friend will turn us back to the paths of righteousness when we wander.

Sometimes we may need to carry others to Jesus. A friend may need a hug and an assurance that she isn’t alone. A friend may need a Bible verse to remind him of God’s love and grace. A friend may need a nudge back to God, or even a strong push toward repentance.

I have certainly been carried to Jesus by friends for whom I am deeply thankful. I have had the occasion to carry a friend to Jesus in an hour of trial.

But, honestly, sometimes we don’t want to do this. We don’t want to bring our friends to Jesus, allowing him to comfort, love, and forgive them. In the moments of anger and conflict we would rather our friends just shape up and fly right. We would rather not have to relate to them through the cross of Jesus. We would rather keep the log in our eye as we try to take the speck out of our friend’s eye.

Thankfully we have a friend in Jesus who laid down his life for us, who forgives sins (our biggest need), and who welcomes all those who come to him in brokenness and repentance.

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I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Mark 5: Leviticus 15; Psalm 142.

Mark 5:21-43

And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. ²² Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet ²³ and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” ²⁴ And he went with him.

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. ²⁵ And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, ²⁶ and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. ²⁷ She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. ²⁸ For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” ²⁹ And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. ³⁰ And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” ³¹ And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” ³² And he looked around to see who had done it. ³³ But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. ³⁴ And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

³⁵ While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” ³⁶ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” ³⁷ And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. ³⁸ They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. ³⁹ And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” ⁴⁰ And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. ⁴¹ Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” ⁴² And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. ⁴³ And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Two touching events happen that impact three people directly, as well as several bystanders, and a multitude of people through the ages.

The father of the child who lay sick in bed is impacted in many ways. He was concerned about his daughter’s illness. He was no doubt also distressed by the interruption of the woman with the issue of blood and Jesus’ attention to her. How relieved and joy-filled he must have been when Jesus healed his daughter.

The woman with the issue of blood was not touched by Jesus but instead reached out to touch the hem of his garment. I love this imagery. This is testimony to both her desperation and her faith. And in that touch through faith she was healed. After 12 years of misery and shame.

The touch of Jesus as he took the little girl by the hand and said, Talitha Cumi, the interesting touch of Mark recording the Aramaic. “Little girl, arise.” This particularly touches me as I think of the tender care Jesus took her by the hand. I think of my sister Kathy who died in our home at the age of just under 7 years. I love the thought of Jesus reaching out to take her hand and bring her back to life in the life of the world to come.

Perhaps you can identify with the woman who had a chronic illness and sought to touch the hem of Jesus’ robe. Maybe you can feel the anguish of the anxious father seeking help for his little daughter. Maybe you’re like the disciples, who said “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’”

The touch of Jesus is precious, healing, freeing, and saving. May his grace touch our hearts and bring us healing, hope, peace, and joy.

PS: If you wish to hear my sermon from June 14, 2025 Trinity Sunday/Father’s Day, click here.

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I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Mark 4; Jeremiah 16; Psalm 147; Ezekiel 31.

Mark 4:30-41

And Jesus said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? ³¹ It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, ³² yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

³³ With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. ³⁴ He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

³⁵ On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” ³⁶ And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. ³⁷ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. ³⁸ But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” ³⁹ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” ⁴¹ And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Jesus is identified in classic Lutheran theology as prophet, priest, and king. As such he speaks God’s word faithfully, intercedes for the people of the earth, and reigns and rules above all things at the right hand of God. This is the three-fold office of Christ.

I see all three in this passage. I love how Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God and declares so faithfully and fully the realities of God’s reign and rule. The kingdom of God, Jesus says, “is like a grain of mustard seed.” This is the prophetic role of Jesus. He teaches the truth of God. In this case, declaring that God will do something remarkably great through something that seems so small. 

And so it is: this small rag-tag group of men will go on to change the world. The 12 will grow to 72, then to 120, then to 3000, 5000, and in the end “a multitude that one can count” (cf. Revelation 7). And just as in the Old Testament times the prophets spoke with an edge in their message, so does Jesus. For his expression that the birds of the air will come to the tree that will grow from the small seed indicates peoples from far and wide will come and find rest and relief in God’s kingdom. This small thing will become much greater and far-reaching than any of them could ever have imagined.

And then as a subtle expression of his priestly role, Jesus is taken in the boat, just as he was, and becoming so tired that he falls asleep. Jesus has taken on human flesh so fully that he is subject to the physical limitations we all experience. This will lead him ultimately to the cross where he will offer his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.

But he is also king over all, King of the Universe. King of wind and wave. So when the storm rages, Jesus, – awakened from his slumber – stands and rebukes the wind and the waves. They are stilled. The disciples wonder, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” 

This is the Son of God. He is our prophet – telling us the truth of God, our priest – praying for us and offering the once-for-all sacrifice for the sins of the world, and King of kings and Lord of lords, in whose hand are the deep places of the earth, to whom we must give an account, and to whom we may pray in our time of need. He is able to act in our behalf, and he is willing to act for our good.

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I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Matthew 13; Psalm 78; Isaiah 37; Jeremiah 5.

Matthew 13:1-17

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. ² And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. ³ And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. ⁴ And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. ⁵ Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, ⁶ but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. ⁷ Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. ⁸ Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ⁹ He who has ears, let him hear.”

¹⁰ Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” ¹¹ And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. ¹² For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. ¹³ This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
¹⁴ Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand,
    and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
¹⁵ For this people’s heart has grown dull,
    and with their ears they can barely hear,
    and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
    and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
    and turn, and I would heal them.’

¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. ¹⁷ For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

My Masters of Divinity Thesis was an examination of Matthew 13, with the title, “Why Do You Speak to them in Parables?” A Look at Jesus’ Use of Parables in Matthew 13. Well…that is at least close to the title. I studied specifically the question of the disciples, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” I also studied Jesus’ answer: “This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled,” quoting the passage about dull hearts, closed ears, and unseeing eyes. 

Jesus spoke in parables to fulfill prophecy. This is what God had ordained by speaking these words through his prophet Isaiah. It would surely come true. As soon as it was spoken it was bound to happen. Sadly, moreover, the prophecy was about the faithlessness of God’s very own people!

Psalm 78 is an overview of Israel’s history – sad as it was in so many ways. You would think they would learn. Time after time they receive God’s blessings, grow complacent, lapse into faithlessness and apostasy. Time after time they repent and God restores them, only to have the cycle repeated again and again.

Ours may not be blatant gross outbursts of sin. We may not rob banks, abuse children, or live licentiously. God may not have to call us back from such faithlessness. But we’ve already learned from Jesus (Matthew 5) that to call a brother a fool is tantamount to murder. And to look upon a woman lustfully is the same as committing adultery. We have spoken words we ought not to have spoken in fits of rage, and done things in a season of weakness that are far from God’s laws.

Perhaps our lives are a mirror of Israel’s. We hear but do not hear. We see but do not see. We have dull hearts.

Thankfully, however, that’s not the whole story. For God determined to redeem a wayward and erring Israel. While we were still sinners Christ died for the unjust. We have been saved.

So just as the disciples had to do, draw near to Jesus and learn what these parables mean. Take heart that he is sowing good seed. Rejoice that he will be the final judge. Know in your heart that he knows who is his.

And who are his? Those who yearn for his redemption, who seek to live under his reign and rule, who trust in his promises, and have seen and heard – through the witness of Jesus’ disciples – Jesus’ words of grace and truth.

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I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Luke 11; Deuteronomy 26; 2 Chronicles 24; Proverbs 8; Jonah 3.

Proverbs 8:1-11, 32-36

Does not wisdom call?
    Does not understanding raise her voice?
² On the heights beside the way,
    at the crossroads she takes her stand;
³ beside the gates in front of the town,
    at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
⁴ “To you, O men, I call,
    and my cry is to the children of man.
⁵ O simple ones, learn prudence;
    O fools, learn sense.
⁶ Hear, for I will speak noble things,
    and from my lips will come what is right,
⁷ for my mouth will utter truth;
    wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
⁸ All the words of my mouth are righteous;
    there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
⁹ They are all straight to him who understands,
    and right to those who find knowledge.
¹⁰ Take my instruction instead of silver,
    and knowledge rather than choice gold,
¹¹ for wisdom is better than jewels,
    and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

³² “And now, O sons, listen to me:
    blessed are those who keep my ways.
³³ Hear instruction and be wise,
    and do not neglect it.
³⁴ Blessed is the one who listens to me,
    watching daily at my gates,
    waiting beside my doors.
³⁵ For whoever finds me finds life
    and obtains favor from the Lord,
³⁶ but he who fails to find me injures himself;
    all who hate me love death.”

Proverbs 8 is an interesting chapter. In it wisdom is personified as a woman who calls out to humanity, offering insight, justice, truth, and life. Most notably wisdom is described as being “possessed by the LORD at the beginning, present before creation, and rejoicing in the world and “delighting in the children of man.”