Window 5a: The Sermon on the Mount

 The first panel of the fifth window along the North aisle depicts Jesus teaching.  The focus text comes from the Sermon on the Mount as described in Matthew, chapters 5-7:

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain:  and when he was set , his disciples came unto him:  and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying (Matt 5: 1-2) .... And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:  For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes (Matt 7:28-29)

Chapter 5 includes the beatitudes and the focus text for this panel, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (5:16); chapter 6 includes the Lord's Prayer; chapter 7 provides guidance regarding rash judgement, false prophets, and prayer.

North Aisle, Window 5a:  "Let your light so shine
 before men" Matt. 5:16

The illustration in the image medallion represents Christ, standing with hands raised in a teaching pose similar to that of Window 2b (Jesus in the Temple).  Seven disciples sit at his feet looking up at him, their hands over their hearts, perhaps suggesting their amazement at his teaching.

The image in the symbol medallion is two tablets with the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20), which represent the Law as established by Moses.  The symbol reminds us of the frequent comparisons between Jesus and Moses (see Window 2a, The Flight into Egypt); of the Old Testament Law, Jesus says, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets;  I am not come to destroy but to fulfill" (Matt 5:17).

It is interesting to note that, in the Sermon on the Mount (contained in Matthew 5-7), Jesus mentions a number of old testament commandments, including 

• Thou shalt not kill
• Thou shalt not commit adultery
• Thou shalt not forswear thyself
• Love thy neighbor

In each case, Jesus explains how the law should be "fulfilled," saying that anger, lust, and swearing (making a vow) should also be avoided, while loving your neighbor should be expanded to include loving your enemy.  The Law provides a baseline, but Jesus says we should move beyond a strict legal interpretation to understanding the righteousness we should strive for before God:

For I say to you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shalt in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:20)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, help us each day to look beyond our duty to see how we may go beyond the expectations of the world around us, that we may offer our best work and selves to you.  By doing so, may the light of our work shine before others, that they may also look to you.  Amen. 

North Aisle, Window 5:  Sermon on the Mount; Transfiguration

Window Dedication:

Given by Mrs. H. Frostad in
loving memory of her husband Henry Frostad