David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

  • Baillie Goes to Commissioners Court

    1 Timothy 2:1-4

    First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come tothe knowledge of the truth.

    SEMO University River Campus

    I have been invited to pray this morning at the Harris County Commissioners Court. The invitation from Commissioner Jack Morman reads, in part, “Thank you for accepting our invitation to share your faith through prayer at the Harris County Commissioners Court. To that end, I will share the above verse from 1 Timothy, as well as this (edited to add specific reference to the County Commissioners Court) prayer by my spiritual friend (now deceased by alive with Jesus), John Baillie. His morning prayer for the twenty-sixth day:

    O you, to whom I owe the gift of this day’s life, give to me also, I pray the spirit to use it as I should. Forbid that I should stain the brightness of the morning with any evil thought or darken the moments of midday with any shameful deed.  Let your Holy Spirit breath into my heart today all pure and heavenly desires.  Let your truth inform my mind.  Let your justice and righteousness make a throne within me and rule my errant will.  Let Christ be formed in me, and let me learn of Him all lowliness of heart, all gentleness of bearing, all modesty of speech, all helpfulness of action, and promptness in the doing of my Father’s will.

    O you who enfold the whole earth with your most merciful favor and wish that none should perish, I would call down your blessing today upon all who are striving towards the making of a better world.  I pray, O God, especially—

    for all who are valiant for truth.
    for all who are working for purer and more just laws:
    for all who are working for peace between the nations:
    for all who are engaged in healing disease:
    for all who are engaged in the relief of poverty:
    for all who are engaged in the rescue of the fallen:
    for all who are working towards the restoration of the broken unity of your Holy Church:
    for all who preach the gospel:
    for all who bear witness to Christ in foreign lands:
    for all who suffer for righteousness’ sake.

    Guide and direct the thoughts and conversations, decisions and deliberations of these men and women who will undertake the affairs of this Harris county Commissioners Court today. Let them be guided by a sincere desire for the common good, and with wisdom, discernment, true knowledge, and in a spirit of public service. 

    Cast down, O Lord all the forces of cruelty and wrong. Defeat all selfish and worldly-minded schemes, and prosper all that is conceived among us in the spirit of Christ and carried out to the honor of His blessed name.  Amen.

  • Who gets to tell?

    John 20:1-18

    Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

    20130721-7206

    Maybe you know someone who seems to get all the breaks but really doesn’t deserve it. She may be a poor performer just doing enough to get by. He may be a slacker who manages to show up at just the right time. It could be that this person is not really bad, but they are no shooting star. They plod along and somehow manage to get the bonus or win the prize.

    To some degree Mary Magdalene is like that. She is often identified as a former prostitute, the sinful woman who anointed Jesus with oil recorded in Luke 7. But there is no clear evidence that such is the case. She is clearly identified here in John’s gospel as being at the cross when Jesus died, and in Luke 8 as the woman from whom Jesus cast out seven demons. In any case Mary Magdalene is the first witness to the empty tomb, the first one to alert Peter and John, the first to encounter Jesus and the first evangelist to the apostles with the good news that Jesus had risen from the dead.

    If one were to write a fanciful account of the events surrounding Jesus’ resurrection – one attempting to gain credibility even at the cost of the truth of certain facets of the story – he would not include characters such as Mary Magdalene as key witnesses to the event. She was a woman; and in that day would have no standing as a witness to anything. And as one with a storied past her witness would be suspect.

    The only problem is: that’s who showed up at the tomb. That’s who saw the stone rolled away. That’s who saw and spoke with the two angels. That’s who Jesus appeared to. That’s whose name Jesus spoke – the first recorded word of Jesus after his resurrection.

    Perhaps Mary Magdalene is an example for you and me. We may or may not have quite as much of a storied past as she. We may be respected. We may be nobodies. But whenever we witness the works of God we get to tell about it. Did God answer a prayer of yours? Tell a friend about it. Did God heal your heart? Tell someone. Did God show up and change the course of your life? Tell the story. The qualifications for telling the story of Jesus is simply encountering him and experiencing his work in your life. Your story will probably not be nearly as profound as Mary’s and the empty tomb. But however Jesus shows up is a gift of grace and the makings of a story that you and I get to tell.

    John 20:1-18

    Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’[a] head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

    11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she sawtwo angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,[b] “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

     

  • Evidence for faith

    John 19:32-37

    But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

    "IHS" the first three letters of the name "Jesus" in Greek: IHSUS. As a child I thought the three letters meant, "In His Service."
    “IHS” the first three letters of the name “Jesus” in Greek: IHSUS. As a child I thought the three letters meant, “In His Service.”

    I was once interviewed by an FBI agent about a nominee to a position in the Veteran’s Administration. The agent was thorough almost to a fault. He left no stone unturned. He ran down every rabbit trail. I would answer in generalities and he would probe for specifics. I have also had the not-so-great joy of a pre-deposition grilling of a very skilled attorney. He was looking for evidence potentially harmful to his client. Based on that experience I am very thankful I did not have to face the opposing party’s attorney in a deposition (the case was settled out of court, and I was not party to the suit).

    In the case of John’s testimony about Jesus’ death, however, a plaintive has nothing to gain or lose by disproving the testimony that John offers. John says that he is offering this testimony is so that we may believe. He aligns the events of Jesus’ suffering and death with the testimony of Scripture. These events show Jesus’ innocence and faithfulness, as well as how he is the fulfillment of Old Testament promises and prophecies written 1000 years before Jesus’ death.

    The testimony is clear. Jesus is innocent. Jesus suffered greatly. Jesus looked to God alone. Jesus died. Scripture pointed to all these things. The point of all this: Jesus is a worthy object of our faith. We believe in him who was not only innocent, but righteous and faithful. We entrust ourselves to someone who died because of his love for us. By his death we are forgiven. By his resurrection from the grave we are saved. The evidence is before us, and it is not offered to prove a political point, nor to settle a lawsuit.

    Perhaps you have an inquiring mind and wish to delve more deeply into the evidence John offers. If that is the case, have at it. Search the Scriptures. Seek out the testimony of the others who recount these events. Remember, all the while, that the evidence that is offered is purposeful: that you might believe and that by believing you might have life in Jesus’ name.

     

    John 19:28-41

    After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

    31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him.33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

    38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body.39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

  • Trophies of Others’ Shame

    John 18:23-27

    When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic.[d] But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,

    “They divided my garments among them,
    and for my clothing they cast lots.”

    So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

    The Orsay Museum

    Many communities proscribe the locations of certain establishments such as bars or liquor stores, requiring that they be more than 300 feet from a school or place of worship. One such establishment went to great lengths (literally!) to argue that they were in compliance. They built a fence along one side of their building that required one to walk more than the required distance in order to enter the establishment if you were coming from the school. Others have argued that the proscription should not apply to property line distance, but door-to-door distance.

    The reality of life, however, brings together disparate ideologies, behaviors, and values and people rub shoulder to shoulder in the warp and woof of life. Co-workers may hold different values about liquor consumption while school children, parents, and teachers act differently in regard to speech, TV and movie choices, religious practice, and political viewpoint. We live in a highly pluralistic society.

    The interplay between religion and secularism is nothing new. In the few verses around the account of Jesus’ crucifixion we see two remarkably distinct value systems on display. In one case soldiers gamble for Jesus’ garment. They have shamed him by taking his garments from him. Now they decide that rather than tear it into pieces they will cast lots to see who will get it. As this is going on Jesus, John, and Jesus’ mother are nearby. Jesus gives Mary to John, and John to Mary as mother and son. And from that hour John takes her into his own home.

    The contrasting choices may not be as stark for you today. But we all will encounter some degree of possible faith and life choices. While we may choose the way of Jesus, John and Mary, others may well cast lots to see who gets the trophies of others’ shame. The time and space of life will be filled today with either those things which bring honor to Christ or celebrate other people’s shame.

    Caring for widows and orphans, and distancing ourselves from those who celebrate others’ shame – if only by our actions – are the marks of true religion (cf. James 1:27). Others may build fences in an attempt to justify their evil deeds. But faith embraces a godliness of love that rejects loophole religion. Faith rejects anything that mocks the shame of Jesus on the cross, and sees Jesus’ sacrifice as our greatest hope and the motive for true godliness.

     

    John 18:16b-27

    So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

    23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic.[d] But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,

    “They divided my garments among them,
    and for my clothing they cast lots.”

    So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

  • What will you say?

    John 20:14-16

    14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour.[c] He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

    Climb to Lily Pad Lake

    Talk is cheap. People will say the most outrageous things – whether in the heat of an argument, in the throes of a political campaign, the defense of their religious views, in an attempt to get attention, or to just make a dollar. Maybe you’ve been a victim in more than one of those situations. On this occasion Jesus was a victim of false accusations, over-stated assertions, and over-zealous religious leaders.

    If you compare Jesus’ words – which are few – with those of the Jewish leaders, (see below) there is a striking contrast. That contrast is not only  in the number of words spoken, but in the demeanor and the clamor-factor of the conversation. While his accusers clamor for Pilate to get rid of Jesus, Jesus himself doesn’t say anything. When Pilate finally does get Jesus to speak, his statement is a confident statement of faith and reality. No accusation, in fact almost a word of consolation to Pilate: Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

    But the gravest word of all in this encounter was not the word, “Crucify!”, it was the chief priests’ admission, “We have no king but Caesar.” Stunning. Sad. Sacrilegious. They who were to have been the moral and spiritual leaders of God’s kingdom on earth deny their heavenly King. This was an outrageous statement which should have shaken the Jewish people to the bone. They should have mounted up in rebellion against these false leaders and removed them from their office. God is the King of all creation.

    Their denial of the King of kings is perhaps the most remarkable thing that occurs in this encounter. They show that their real problem is not with Jesus, but with the Lord and King of heaven and earth. They are not answerable to him, but to Caesar. Their comfort, security, hope, and path come from Caesar, and he is their greatest good. At least they have the honesty to say it. Many would prevaricate rather than speak the truth so boldly.

    The question for me and you is this: who is our king – really? Who is our greatest good? Who do we answer to? From where does our security come? May we ever hold to the King of kings, and his Son, by the power of the Spirit, and not deny him!

    John 20:1-16

    Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. 3 They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. 4 Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 7 The Jews[a] answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.”8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

    12 From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” 13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic[b] Gabbatha.14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour.[c] He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

  • Not of this world

    John 18:36

    Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

    The inscription reads, "TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND TO THE HONOR OF TWELVE THOUSAND OF THE MERCHANT NAVY AND FISHING FLEETS WHO HAVE NO GRAVE BUT THE SEA".
    The inscription on this building in London reads, “TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND TO THE HONOR OF TWELVE THOUSAND OF THE MERCHANT NAVY AND FISHING FLEETS WHO HAVE NO GRAVE BUT THE SEA”.

    The interaction between Jesus and Pilate is interesting to me. He seems little concerned about Pilate’s faith or lack of it. He does not try to argue Pilate into a confession of faith, nor prove the truth of his own claims. Jesus simply lives in the reality of the Kingdom of God. This seems so radically different from the apologetical or polemical approach that some might urge on the church today. Some would have the church engage in a culture war, seeking to sway both public opinion and the political balance of powers. Some would have us promote a Judeo-Christian biblically-based legal code as the mission of the church.

    There are times, indeed, when our morals as Christians should inform our political pursuits. To seek laws upholding marriage and the family, or the sanctity of life has long been the proper purview of Christian citizens. But this is not the mission of the church. Our efforts are in the spiritual realm, and the mission of the church is in the realm of the Kingdom of God. That is the realm of faith, eternal truth, and abundant grace.

    Very few of those who would identify themselves as Christians seek to establish a code of laws like that of the Sharia Muslims. Perhaps I am looking for a reason to congratulate myself on my approach to questions about other religions, the separation of church and state and the role of church in government. But Jesus’ words here are telling: “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting…” Jesus never intended to fight a battle with the Jews. Our calling is to live under Christ in his kingdom and do whatever we can to help others experience the grace and truth that is found in Christ alone. Those goals are seldom realized in physical or even philosophical battle.

    With two of my sons in the military, both of whom will be deployed in foreign places in the coming year, please do not take this post to be any kind of advocacy for pacifism. I have no wisdom to share on the situation in Syria. I have opinions on our recent involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan that have nothing to do with my Christian faith per se. But I realize, as a Christian, that the government is a tool of God in the world today. They have the power of the sword to quell injustice and wrong-doing. But governments can only make it easier or more difficult for the Kingdom of God to be seen; they will never establish or overthrow God’s kingdom, for it is not of this world.

    John 18:28-40

    Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

    33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

    After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

  • The Harsher Edge of Truth

    John 18:37-38

    Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”  Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

    Diane's Photos of Brittany, Normandy & Paris

    Jesus says, “The truth shall set you free.” Indeed it does. Whenever we finally and fully face the facts about life, the reality of a hard situation, a disappointment, an illness, or addiction we are set free from the tyranny of denial. Too often we would rather deny the truth  about our addictions, ignore the warning signs of our poor health, and pretend that we don’t need to change. Part of the reason for this is that truth not only sets us free, but truth also calls us to action.

    On this occasion Pilate encounters the truth about Jesus, and in the process also likely sees the untruth of the Jewish leaders’ duplicity in trying to get rid of Jesus. When he asks, “What is truth?” he is likely wondering what the thoughts and motives of those who wanted to get rid of Jesus really were. He was confronted with truth in the flesh and could not escape the reality of his presence.

    But to act on that truth would move him to do things that would get him in trouble with the people, the Jewish leaders, and possibly Rome. To let Jesus go would be the truthful thing to do. But it would start an avalanche of repercussions and trouble the end of which he could not see. The truth for him was a sword. It was a burning cauldron, caustic potion, too bitter to swallow.

    The problem with truth, however, is that it just doesn’t go away. Jesus is the King of kings. He is God in the flesh. We may rid ourselves of him for a time, but there will come a time when we will deal with him. We will see him face to face. We will give an account. If our account is that the truth was too hard to bear we are in trouble. But if our account is a deep-felt thank-you to him for not only being truth incarnate, but also grace incarnate, bearing the truth for all: our sin and failure to face the truth, then we have a great hope.

    What truth do you know that you need to act upon today? Where does the harsher edge of truth rub up against your sin, sickness, denial, or failure? That rough edge is the edge of the cross on which Jesus died. He bore our sins, carried our iniquities, took our diseases upon himself when he died on the cross. That rough edge will set you free indeed.

    John 18:28-40

    Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.”31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

    33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

    After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

  • RIght and Wrong

    John 18:15-27

    Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

    19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.”22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

    25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

    Manoir du Poul

    The New Mexico Supreme Court just ruled against a Christian photographer who refused to photograph a same-sex commitment ceremony seven years ago. At that time and even now the state does not recognize either same-sex marriage or civil unions. Nevertheless the court found that if one is going to engage in public business one must not discriminate for reasons of sexual orientation. They equated the issue with that of racial discrimination – an equivalence that many African Americans, especially Black Christian preachers abhor. Sexual orientation is not the same as ethnicity or racial identity. The photographer and her husband in this case will have had to pay thousands of dollars in attorney fees as well as a lawsuit judgment. Their right to freedom of faith does not overflow into freedom of action in regard to that faith. They believed that to photograph this ceremony was an infringement on their faith; it would amount to denying what they believed to take that job.

    In the case of Jesus before the high priest we see guilt and sin on every side. Jesus falsely accused, being struck is a mere prelude to greater and more severe and unjust treatment.  Peter denying Jesus is an obvious sin. But I’m wondering about the servant girl in this story. She often gets a pass when we think about these events. Remarks are made as to how “a mere servant girl” is able to shake Peter – the “Rock Man.” But her insinuation is no less evil than the conspiracy that put the Son of God on trial and sought to make him answer to their sensibilities and ultimately put him to death, rather than listen to his call to repent and believe the Good News of his kingdom.

    The servant girl’s insinuation was derisive and ugly: “You’re not one of his followers too are you?” The implication was that there were enough followers of Jesus – one or two might be able to be tolerated. But we surely don’t need any more. We’re trying to get rid of this guy and all his followers. Here we have in bold display the world’s view of Jesus: he gets in the way of life and only causes trouble. He’s to blame.

    Peter’s actions here are terrible to be sure. I’ve reflected on that before. But let’s be clear about something else: It is never right to put down the Christian faith – by implication or by accusation. It is not right for the world to reject Jesus and his teaching no matter how much he might get in the way the world’s agenda; no matter how his followers might upset the balance of powers or disrupt the social order. Nor is it right for the world to persecute Christians for reasons of their faith. Whenever we must stand up to such persecution, be it subtle or overt, we can be sure that confessing Jesus as Lord is the right thing to do. We need not be uncivil about it, but we need not hide our faith and values as we live under Christ in his kingdom day by day.

    I’m hopeful that many will come to the aid of this photographer and her husband as they seek to be true to their beliefs as Christians. The case seems destined for the Supreme Court. We can only imagine the implications for churches, pastors, photographers, and wedding chapels. Thank God Jesus didn’t flinch when it came time to lay down his life for the sake of the Kingdom of God. He is our champion and refuge as we live, when we are persecuted, and even when we fall. Peter failed, buckling under the pressure of the world. Jesus did not. His is our Savior and our righteousness. May God give us the strength to stand strong in him and forgive us when we fail.

  • The Ways of God’s Kingdom & Egyptian Coptic Christians

    John 18:1-14

    When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

    12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

    Roger Anis/El Shorouk Newspaper/AP

    The news out of Egypt in regard to the Coptic Christians is not good. The Daily Beast reports the following:

    The news coming out of Egypt is staggering. USA Today reports that “forty churches have been looted and torched, while 23 others have been attacked and heavily damaged” in one week. According to the Coptic Orthodox and Catholic churches in Egypt, 160 Christian-owned buildings have also been attacked.

    In one town, Islamists paraded three nuns on the streets like prisoners of war after burning their Franciscan school. The attackers tore a cross off the gate of the school and replaced it with an Islamist flag. The New York Times described hundreds of Islamists in one attack, “lashing out so ferociously that marble altars were left in broken heaps on the floor.”

    USA Today’s article: “Egypt’s Christians under attack…” on the situation seems to have caught little traction, and no reaction from US government officials. It is a sad situation and the people of Egypt need our prayers. Many Christians consider the blame that is being placed on the Coptic Christians today in Egypt to be scapegoating. The Christians are being blamed for the violence, when in fact, “The leader of the military, like nearly every top government official in Egypt, is a devout Muslim.” (Daily Beast)

    Jesus’ arrest and reaction to Peter when he cut off Malchus’ ear assure us, however, that God is able to take even the worst situation and turn it to a Kingdom victory. As Luther says in his Small Catechism, “The kingdom of God comes even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come among us also.” He goes on to explain that the “Kingdom of God comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.”

    That doesn’t say much about physical worldly manifestations of God’s kingdom. He doesn’t mention peace, health, success, or favorable world conditions. Luther points us toward the work of the Holy Spirit, to faith in Jesus, and to our lives being godly and well-lived.

    I don’t believe we should, therefore, ignore situations of injustice, Christian persecution, immorality or indecency. Micah summarizes God’s calling to a godly life:”…do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” It’s a lot about how we act, not just how others act toward us. Which means our calling is to speak up in behalf of those who are being unjustly treated. Whenever possible we must come to their aid. Certainly we must keep them in our prayers.

    Two thousand years ago Jesus took the most unjust punishment ever met out on any human being so that we could receive his pure and perfect righteousness. As those who have received this gift, we must pray and work to honor him, seek his kingdom, and love and support one another and all people near and far away.

    Thy kingdom come! Thy will be done on earth – as it is in heaven. Lord have mercy and grant us your peace. Amen.

  • Praying beyond the target

    John 17:20-26

    “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

    Manoir du Poul

    It’s a silly and often irreverent movie, but Bruce Almighty nevertheless uncovers a profoundly-important truth in at least one case. When Bruce takes on the responsibility of answering prayers he discovers that the job of being God isn’t as easy as he thought it would be. Answering prayers one at a time proves to be too difficult, so he resorts to answering all prayers, “Yes.” Chaos ensues. While some people are made rich and happy, others experience one disappointment and catastrophe after another. Life and death are more complex than we can imagine; our needs and desires intersect and connect with others in millions of ways.

    Jesus teaches that in his Lord’s Prayer with the opening words, “Our Father.” With those words, Jesus would remind us that we and others pray to the Father of all; we are not alone in our need, or in our praying. God’s “yes” to you may be a “no” to someone else. Beyond that, however, Jesus’ prayer here in John 17 reaches beyond the disciples to those who will come to faith through the witness of the disciples.

    That would include you and me. His requests for us are the same as those for the apostles: unity, the assurance of God’s love, a revelation of God’s glory, and God’s protection. But of all these things, Jesus emphasizes unity. He prays that we are filled with Christ, that we have the same oneness as Jesus and the Father experience. He prays that God’s love would so fill them and Jesus’ presence so shape them that God is glorified and the world knows that Jesus is God’s Son, sent to redeem the world.

    It is good to know that Jesus was praying for you and me 2000 years ago. But it is important to realize that he was praying for your neighbor as well – both the one who is a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ as well as the one who needs to hear the word of God and be brought to faith. God’s desire for you is his desire for your best friend and worst enemy. Jesus’ prayer for you is his prayer for the people of Texas, Mexico, Brazil, France, China, India, and all the nations of the world. His answer to our prayers may not all be “Yes.” But his yearning and prayers for all people is that we would embrace his love and salvation.

    Next time you pray the Lord’s Prayer, hold in mind and heart the “Our” part of the prayer, and recall Jesus’ prayer for you and your neighbor. Then consider this: Jesus’ prayer is aimed not only at you and all who call him Lord, but goes beyond even that to your neighbor, your boss, co-worker, friend, enemy, and the generations to come. May Jesus’ name be praised by us all!