THE CHANCEL WINDOW AT FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH

This beautiful work of art symbolizes the Passion of Christ, a very proper subject for this location. It briefly, but effectively, relates the story from Christ’s deepest sorrow to his triumph over sin and death (not for his sake but for our own). The window as a whole symbolizes Sacrifice as indicated by the five main panels in the shape of quatrefoils.

Gethsemene

In the lower left panel is the symbol of Gethsemene, the chalice and pointed cross, the cross of suffering.  It recalls the time when Jesus said: “My soul is sorrowful, even unto death; remain here and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed that most solemn prayer, quoted in part: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; never-the-less, not as I will but as thou wilt.” Returning he found his disciples asleep, and he said to Peter: “So, could you not watch with me one hour?”

The Betrayal

In the upper left panel we see the money bag and thirty pieces of silver, the symbol of the betrayal. Jesus said: “Arise, let us be going, my betrayer is at hand.” Then Judas said: “Hail Master,” and used the highest symbol of affection, the kiss, to betray his Lord.

The Arrest

In the upper right panel we have the sword and staff, the symbol of the arrest, or more correctly, the abduction of Christ. “And a ‘crowd (a mob, not soldiers) came with swords and staves and took Jesus to the high priests.”

The Mockery, Trial and Condemnation

At the lower right, we see two scourges and whipping post, the symbol of the trial and condemnation of Jesus, at the close of which Pilate ordered Jesus to he scourged and turned over to the high priests for crucifixion.

The Crucifixion and Resurrection

In the center panel we have the cross and crown, representative of the climax of all that thus far has happened; the symbol of Christ’s triumph over sin and death, the cross denoting the completed redemption of mankind, and the crown symbolizing the risen and glorified Lord.

The Great Promise

The combination of the cross and crown forms the symbol of “Faith” carrying with it the all-important promise recorded in the Revelation of St. John, 2:10: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”  Finally, the chancel window, being circular in design, also denotes “Eternal Life”, the final goal of all true believers, and it circumscribes this Biblical story which should inspire us to sing “In the Cross of Christ I Glory.”