David Bahn – Reflections

We were hiking in the mountains around Canmore, Canada. The goal was to reach the top of the waterfall. Steep slopes, slick stones, and high altitude conspired to make it a challenging hike. I don’t think I ever wanted to abandon the hike, even though I was near the limits of my physical abilities. I wanted to reach the top. We did make it. The view was beautiful. And the rest was welcomed. We were even greeted by a cute ground squirrel at the top.

My goal was to get to the top of the waterfall. I think Diane was more focused on enjoying the hike and the views. We both achieved both goals. It was a challenging and enjoyable hike.

I think of this and other challenges I’ve undertaken as I consider what is really happening with Paul and Luke as they head for Rome. On the one hand, their goal was certainly to get safely to Rome. Paul expresses his desire and goal to get to Rome in Romans 1:9-12, “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you ¹⁰ always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. ¹¹ For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— ¹² that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

So Paul’s goal in getting to Rome was far more than arriving safely there, more than being able to witness to the people there, but to impart spiritual gifts to the people there, to strengthen them, and be mutually encouraged by his and their faith. But that’s not the end of his desire. For he says in Romans 15:24, “I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.”

Paul didn’t want only to get to Rome, but to go on to Spain in order to preach the gospel there as well. Paul was singularly gifted and burdened with the mission mandate. He dedicated his life to bringing the Gospel to new lands and places, people and languages. He never lost sight of this mission. Even as he enjoyed the hospitality of Publius, or healed Publius’ father, waited three months before setting sail and arriving in Rome, his goal wasn’t just Rome. It was sharing the gospel. This he did all along the way. And you and I are beneficiaries of his dedication and God’s work through him.

On this day after Reformation Day, we can thank God for Luther, Luke, and Paul – all of whom proclaimed the reign and rule of Jesus Christ and who have shaped our faith through their witness. They didn’t lose sight of the goal. That goal was set by God whose goal it is that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. God loved the world so much that he gave his Only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life. He continues to send people on mission to share that Good News. That is God’s ultimate goal, and it never changes no matter the path it takes.

I was miserable. My first class in my Doctor of Ministry degree and I had laryngitis. If you know me, you know I like to engage in the class discussions. I sit on the front row. I ask questions. I answer questions. I love to engage fully. But I had laryngitis! I couldn’t speak. Frustrated. Disappointed.

At the break the professor offered to pray for people. So, naturally, I went forward to ask for prayers for my cold. When we spoke with me he inquired about my limp. He saw that I had a noticeable limp. He said, “I’m more concerned about your hip than I am about your head cold.” So was I.

Before I knew what was happening, he had me sitting in a chair, holding my feet out in front of me, and told me one leg was longer than the other. Then he said – loudly, “Anyone want to see the Lord lengthen a leg?” What was I to do? My feet were in his hands. So as people gathered around I sat – feet out front, resting on his open palms. “In the name of Jesus,” he said, “I command this leg to grow.” And. It. Did.

I felt my leg grow and saw my foot move outward. I believe it was a lesson from God about his power, and the healing ministry of the church.

The first hospitals were opened by Christians. Early Christians took newborn children who had been abandoned in the streets into their homes. Paul and the other Apostles healed people. Jesus’ ministry was one of healing diseases, casting out demons, and freeing guilty consciences.

When Paul visited Publius’ father and healed him, he was carrying on Jesus’ ministry and setting the compass for all of Jesus’ followers. We may not be able to heal in the same way Paul did, but we can lay hands on people, praying for them, asking God to heal them. James writes that this ministry of the church is to be exercised by the elders by anointing with oil, confessing sins, and offering prayer (cf. James 5:13-17).

Two things I have learned as I’ve studied this important ministry. We don’t have to say, “If it be your will,” when we pray for someone to be healed.. It is God’s will to heal all people. Some will be healed miraculously and immediately. Some medically over time. Some mercifully on the day of the resurrection of all flesh. And when you pray for someone and they are healed immediately it is a glorious moment for them and for the Kingdom. But even if it’s not immediate, people are blessed by the loving care and appropriate touch of a brother or sister in Christ.

Next time you have the opportunity to pray for someone to be healed, leave the timing up to God and do so with the confidence of his good will to heal. He’s really good at it.

Lady McBeth frets in William Shakespeare’s play, McBeth, that her husband, MacBeth, is “too full o’ the milk of human kindness” to take the ruthless actions needed to seize the throne. In these days of vicious political attacks, we can certainly understand her perceived need for ruthless tactics. I, for one, can imagine powerful politicians, CEOs, administrators, or generals feel the need for ruthless resolve. Some would call it just being decisive. It seems rare, though, that the milk of human kindness would flow from such high-powered men or women.

I’m not certain Paul would be known for this attribute. But Publius certainly would. He seems to be predisposed to kindness. He received [them] and entertained [them] hospitably for three days, Luke records. The “us” refers to Luke for certain, but also implies a far-flung kindness, and hospitality toward several if not all 276 people from the shipwreck. 

I’ve certainly experienced kindness on many occasions, and many fronts. From the offer of an apartment when I stay in Friendswood as I serve the church there, to hospitality from friends who opened their home to us when we had a several-day conference near them, to a friend who invited me to have lunch once a week, and asked if we could be friends. These acts of kindness are blessings that reach far beyond the act itself.

In the case of Paul, Publius’ kindness extended to providing provisions for his ongoing trip to Rome. And that, I’m sure, also made an impression on those who accompanied him and Luke. People see these acts of kindness.

This is what Jesus means when he says, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) It’s what Paul gets at when he writes to the church in Corinth saying, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1) It’s what God called for through the prophet Micah, “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

It’s not clear that Publius was a believer. But he certainly did things in line with one who confesses faith in Jesus. If we are known more for our ruthlessness than our kindness, we must repent, and seek to know the love of God.

Jeremiah wrote, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23) If the King of the Universe is kind and tender, certainly those who bear his name should reflect his mercies, kindness, and love.

The door in the hall outside my first period chemistry class opened, and Jerry (I didn’t really know his name at the time) poked his head out. “Want to come in and sit down?” I was on crutches, so having a place to sit while we waited for class to begin sounded good to me. So I crutched across the hall and sat down – in a photography darkroom. Not only a love for photography was kindled, but a deep friendship as well, and what would become a push toward the Lutheran Church and ultimately to becoming a pastor. That was a divine appointment. That little ripple in time blossomed into a tsunami of life-change.

The power had gone out so my date and Jerry and his date went to the basement of the Lutheran Campus Center to finish boiling the crawdads we had gathered for the first and only crawdad supper to be held there. This was several years later. I remained up stairs peeling the crawdads (we didn’t know how you are supposed to do this crawdad supper thing). In walked a young woman who was a biology major. Unlike everyone else around the kitchen, she was not put off by the prospect of shelling crawdads. It wasn’t love at first sight, but there was a spark in that moment that grew into a flame that would not go out. Diane and I were married three years later. Another divine appointment.

Divine appointments. Defining moments. Pivotal encounters. Kairos moments. We all have them. Some we do not recognize, until maybe later. But these life-changing moments do in fact change our lives.

I think of that when I read of Paul’s encounter with Publius. I’m not sure it changed Paul’s life, but it certainly might have. I’m not sure it changed Publius’ life. But it likely did. After all, Luke records his name. He would be known by whoever read Luke’s account as a man who helped Paul along the way. Publius’ father certainly had a divine appointment. He was healed by God through Paul.

And what about Paul? While he seems to be the one who was encountered, I can imagine how this encounter may have had ripples beyond the moments there on Malta. I can imagine how Publius’ kindness and provision for Paul’s continued journey made a great difference in how Paul was treated on the final leg of his travels to Rome. Maybe even in the way the soldier guarded Paul while he was under house arrest there.

These God moments come at God’s pleasure. We may, sadly, sometimes miss them. But we should never pass up the opportunity to do good, offer kindness, or receive help when we are in need. Who knows how the spark might ignite into a flame? Who knows how far the ripples will spread? If God has set the appointment, surely we must not limit its impact.

He never seems to smile. Once in a while I am able to get behind his severe facade, but most often he seems angry and bitter. I wonder what his story is. Maybe one day I’ll be able to hear it. But for now I mostly wait. He seems not to want to engage on any personal level.

He is friendly and gregarious. He always has a good word for me. Once in a while he’ll share an insight or offer advice – but always with respect and the caveat that I don’t have to take his word for it. I’ve had the opportunity to hear a bit of his story. A good bit of pain. No small amount of struggle.

I don’t know why one seems bitter and brittle while the other is open and friendly. But I do know we all  have stories. Experiences along the way have shaped us. We draw conclusions about others based on our experiences. Sometimes we’re right. Other times, we miss the mark.

When Paul and his boat-mates arrive in Malta, the people there draw conclusions about him. Two drastically different conclusions to be precise. On first brush they conclude that he is a murderer. When Paul was bitten by the snake, they concluded that although he had escaped from the shipwreck at sea, now “Justice” has caught up with him. The Greek, “δίκη” (dikē) seems possibly to refer to the Greek goddess of justice. How wrong they were. Paul was not being punished by their goddess. She is no true god. Then, when Paul doesn’t swell up and die, they conclude that he was a god! Wrong again. Paul is no god. He is a servant of the Most High God, and his Son, Jesus Christ.

What wrong conclusion have we drawn? About a cranky neighbor? About an uncooperative co-worker? About a constantly-happy friend? About a smug church member? About a stern pastor? We may or may not be right about their anger, fear, bitterness, joy or arrogance.

But let’s remember this absolute truth: God sees through every mask and veil. He knows us for who we are. And he loves us. Truly. Ne also loves that cranky neighbor, uncooperative co-worker, constantly-happy friend, and even that stern pastor. He loves you. Let’s keep that in mind as we relate to those we meet today.

I’ll always remember the day we got the good news of our youngest son’s sweat chloride test. Negative. That was such good news. The sweat chloride test was to determine if he had cystic fibrosis. He didn’t. I was greatly relieved. Diane was happy, but she had never thought he had the dread disease.

I’ll always remember the day I made the least romantic marriage proposal ever to Diane. She didn’t say yes then, but 9 months later she did! I remember that day as well.

I’ll always remember the day of my first installation as pastor of Our Saviour and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Vernal, Utah and Rangely, Colorado. I was a washed-out pale fellow, having worried myself sick about what I had gotten Diane, our two kids at that time, and myself into. But I had arrived at my first charge. I was actually a pastor.

I wonder whether some of the soldiers, sailors, the centurion and the boat owner remember the day when, as Luke records, “And so it was that all were brought safely to land.” My various days of remembrance may not be as dramatic as theirs was, but they shaped my life in so many ways. I wonder whether this deliverance shaped the lives of any of the 275 others on that boat. I know it shaped Paul’s life. And Luke’s. Most likely the Centurion who went out of his way to help Paul. 

And what about ours? Years ago, I was talking with a woman from the church I was serving at the time. I made the comment that we often learn from our own mistakes. She wisely reminded me, “You don’t have to learn from your own mistakes. You can learn from others’ mistakes as well.”

The same can be said about learning from our successful navigating the trials that come our way. We learn a lot by experiences as varied as good test results or a rocky start to my first ministry call. I learned a lot through the challenges I experienced there, and in all the churches I’ve served. But I don’t have to learn only from my own experiences.

Trusting God’s promises, seeing his hand of protection and provision, and watching Paul’s faithful leadership and commitment to God’s mission are fertile grounds for our spiritual growth. I’m reminded of Romans 15:4. Paul had not yet set foot to Rome when he wrote these words: “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Seems pretty clear to me that he took those words to heart. I want to do the same. How about you, dear Reader?

I was desperate. Panicking. Nearly hysterical. I was in the lake, out of my canoe. The Scout goal was to make a flotation device from your shirt by taking it off, tieing off the sleeves and neck opening, and capturing air in it. I had gotten my shirt half-way-off and it got stuck. I couldn’t breath through the water-soaked material. I was worried I was going to drown. A shot of adrenaline shot through my body and I pulled the shirt the rest of the way over my head. Such relief!

I was driving. On my way to meet a fellow pastor to pray and study together. I had counselled a woman from our church whose marriage was nearly failing. The situation was dire. As I drove, I prayed. And as I prayed, I felt more and more certain that God was hearing my prayer. I knew deep in my soul their marriage was going to be saved. I. Just. Knew. It. And it was.

The first situation described here is desperation. The second is desperation together with faith. Sometimes there is little difference between the two.

As the ship gets closer to land, desperation sets in on all sides. The sailors try to escape. The soldiers were going to kill the prisoners. The boat went aground. The bow got stuck. The stern was being broken up by the surf. Dire straits. All this on top of 14 days of relentless storms, sleepless nights, and no food. They are desperate.

I notice something about their actions. They throw the wheat into the sea. Why the wheat? What’s significant about that? First of all, it would be the last of the essential cargo of the ship, after they had already lightened the ship. Notice the word, “essential.” They realized they were in a struggle for survival.

I wonder, though, if it wasn’t also an act of faith. They not only knew they needed to lighten the ship. They also knew they wouldn’t need it any more. Perhaps there was a glimmer of hope in Paul’s promise: “not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” Sometimes we must grasp the tiniest straw to seek to be saved. And when it comes to God’s promises and his assurance that he will take care of us to the end, that tiny straw is strong enough to save – if we keep our eyes focused on the One who promised it. 

God has promised we who believe in him, and who seek his kingdom first, that all things will be added to us. He will take care of us. So whether in times of desperation, or just in this moment of awareness, thank God for his daily provision. Thank, praise, serve, and obey him. For not only has he promised to take care of us, he does so every day.

Martin Luther, Heretic is a 1983 film made to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther. It is my favorite Martin Luther movie, staring Jonathan Pryce as Martin Luther. It was released on 8 November 1983 in the United Kingdom, two days before the 500th jubilee on 10 November. I have seen the film more than a dozen times and love it so much because of the great quotable dialogue in the movie. In one scene, Luther is struggling with his faith and speaking with his father confessor, Johann von Staupitz. He is at hi wits end, not knowing how to find peace with God – no matter how hard he tries. In the throes of his distress he asks Staupitz, “What shall I do?!?” Staupitz’ answer, “Eat more food. Get more rest. Learn more about God.”

I’m reminded of this not only because we will celebrate Reformation Sunday at Hope Lutheran Church where I am serving as acting senior pastor, but also because Paul urges the people there, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength.” Paul is speaking of physical strength needed for the ordeal yet to come. They’ve been fighting the storm for 14 days without sustenance. It was time to get some nourishment. 

There are five capitals Christians can invest for the sake of God’s kingdom. Five different resources we may invest to receive a return for the sake of God’s kingdom. Most often when we think of capital we think of money. Money is a kind of capital we can invest for the sake of God’s kingdom. But it is the least important of the five. Most important is spiritual capital. All things in God’s kingdom stand or fall on the basis of the spiritual realities we encounter. From prayer, to the sacraments, to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, spiritual capital has the greatest impact in God’s kingdom economy.

You might think that physical capital (physical strength, health, and the time and energy we have to invest in God’s kingdom is second to last in importance. But it is third, just behind relational capital. In other words, we need to eat and drink, be strong and energetic to advance God’s kingdom. This is why Paul urges the people to take food.

Not to mention the hope we have of the resurrection on the Great Last Day. Our bodies are not just soul sacks. We’re more than embodied spirits. We are body and spirit. We do not believe as the Gnostics taught that the physical is evil while the spiritual is good. Our whole being has been redeemed. And in the life of the world to come we will enjoy a completely perfect existance in the New Heaven and New Earth.

Take care of your body. Eat more (or less???) food. Get more rest. Learn more about God. Good advice – whether Staupitz actually advised Luther to do it. And use the strength you gain to serve Christ more faithfully – not to mention enjoying a foretaste of the eternal rest and the feast to come.

Click here for the Martin Luther Heretic Movie on YouTube.

The receiver runs down the field, does a sudden button-hook turn back toward the quarterback, and discovers the ball is right there, ready for him to catch. Completion! First down!

After taking a photo of a beautiful landscape, the photographer turns around and sees an amazingly beautiful flower. Snap. Process. Print. Enter. Win!

She’s searching for her mom or dad. She’s lost. She’s in a crowd. She doesn’t know what to do. Then she hears her name. She turns around and there’s her dad. She runs into his arms. Safe. Secure. Tears of relief flow from both.

The sailors aboard the ship carrying Paul and 275 others seek to escape what they believe is certain doom. Paul sees through their ploy. He warns the centurion and the soldiers. They must turn around. They must not abandon ship. Their escape boat is cut loose. Paul promises that they will be saved.

The soldiers were going to kill the prisoners so that none would escape. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. They turn around figuratively-speaking, and at the centurion’s urging let them swim ashore. Lives saved. All 276.

Jesus’ first sermon recorded in Mark 1:15 is, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Repent: turn around. Change your mind. Reconsider.

Repentance is a profound change of heart, turning away from sin and toward God, believing God is good, and trusting in him. This is not driven by fear of punishment, but by a heartfelt belief in God’s grace. It is a response to the Gospel, where one is not only contrite over his or her sins, but trusting in God’s mercy through Christ.

There are a few specific things in my life for which I am deeply sorry. I know I have done wrong, or failed to do the obvious right thing. There is no way I could ever make up for these things. But I trust God and rely on his mercy, and I believe that Jesus died for my sins, and the sins of the whole world. That includes your sins, dear reader.

In the case of the shipwreck Paul’s intervention on behalf of the people on the boat, and the centurion’s intervention in behalf of the prisoners both saved lives. All 276 were kept alive and reached land. When we turn around, away from sin, and toward Jesus, our lives are saved for all eternity, and we will reach the eternal Promised Land.