Window 8a: Mary and Martha

 Window 8 shows Jesus interacting with two groups of people frequently seen as "less important" in patriarchal culture:  women and children.  In each case, Jesus firmly states that they also have value in God's eyes and share in God's grace and salvation.

In Window 8a, we see Jesus interacting with a woman -- Mary of Bethany -- while her sister Martha works in the background:

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village:  and a certain woman named Martha received him into her home.  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word.  But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?  Bid her therefore that she help me.  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her.  (Luke 10:38-42)

Window 8a:  Mary hath chosen
that good part" (Luke 10:42)

In the image medallion of Window 8a, Mary sits a little lower than Jesus, who is clearly teaching her since his arms and hands are open and hers are crossed on her breast.  In the background, above her head, we see Martha setting a table for their meal.

Mary has abandoned "women's work" for the opportunity of sitting at Jesus' feet and learning from him -- and Jesus' confirmation of her choice, "that good part which shall not be taken away from her," emphasizes that women may also be disciples, may also participate equally in the training and ministry of the church.

The icon in the symbol medallion its an anchor.  It symbolizes hope and stability, from Hebrews 6:19a:  "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast."

Since the anchor is formed with two crossed bars, it also reminds us of the cross, and our certain hope of salvation through his death and resurrection.  It is one of the oldest symbols of the Christian Church, used as early as the 2nd century AD  (Christian Symbology).

Its use on this panel perhaps connects to Jesus' statement that Mary's choice "shall not be taken away from her," indicating that faith, or hope in Christ, is an anchor to the soul.

Prayer:  Lord, we are so often like Martha, busy with the details instead of taking the time to rest and listen, like Mary.  Help us to center our lives around the anchor of your Word and Salvation, that we can weather the busyness and distractions of our lives.  Amen.

South Aisle, Window 8:  Mary and Martha; Blessing the children

Window Dedication:

This window given by
Mrs. C. A. Platou
in memory of her husband
Dr. Carl A. Platou

Window 7b: The Prodigal Son

Jesus tells The Parable of the Prodigal Son in response to criticism that he meets with and eats with sinners, to illustrate the joy in heaven when a sinner repents.  A certain man, he says, divided his wealth between his two sons; the older stayed at home, but the younger left home and spent his money lavishly.  When he had spent it all, he had to take a job feeding pigs, and he realized that his father's servants lived better than he.  So he returned home, ready to abase himself and ask for a job as a servant.

But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him....and said to his servants, bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:  and bring hither the fatted calf and kill it; and let us eat and be merry:  For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.  (Luke 15: 20, 22-24)

 

Window 7b:  "My son was dead and
 is alive again" (Luke 15:24)

The image medallion in Window 7b shows us the meeting of the father with his younger, spendthrift son.  Behind him the door to the home is open, signifying his welcome and perhaps his father's rush to greet him; above the son's head is an animal -- perhaps the "fatted calf" that will be killed for the celebration.  So will the repenting sinner be welcomed home to God's house.

The symbol medallion holds "The Fountain of Salvation," according to the September 1948 Dedication bulletin.  I have only found "fountain of life" icons in my searches so far, which seem quite similar in terms of concept, since the new life we receive through Christ is synonymous with salvation.  

The authors of "Fountain of Life Iconography" indicate that there are no uniform image types for this concept.  However, the concept itself emerges from ideas central to baptism (renewal, rebirth) and the shedding of Christ's blood, which washes away sin and makes us acceptable in God's sight.

The connection between the symbol and the story, then, is about salvation, which is possible through Christ's blood and our willingness to repent and return to grace.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for the assurance that we are never far from the fountain of life and the peace that comes when we are in right relationship with you.  Help us, like the prodigal son, to humble ourselves and return to you.  Amen.

South Aisle, Window 7:  The Good Samaritan and The Prodigal Son

Window Dedication:

In loving memory of my husband Rudolf Giselius
Given by Ragna Giselius

Window 7a: The Good Samaritan

  Window 7 presents two of Jesus' best-known parables:  The Good Samaritan and The Prodigal Son.  According to the planning documents (See Aisle Window Concept post), this "parable" window is designed to balance the "miracle" window directly across the nave (Window 4).

The first panel in Window 7 illustrates "The God Samaritan:"

And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead....But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was:  and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and...shewed mercy on him (Luke 10: 30, 33-34, 37).

Window 7:  "He had compassion and shewed
 mercy" (Luke 10:33, 37)

 In the image medallion, we see the Samaritan, holding a bottle of oil (or wine?) and reaching a helping hand out to the man who fell among thieves.  We know this is the Samaritan, and not Jesus, because the halo around his head does not include the three bars that are used to indicate a member of the Trinity (usually Jesus).

Above the Samaritan's head are the Levite and Priest who passed by on the other side, walking away; in the upper right is a donkey, presumably the "beast" that the wounded man will ride to the inn.

The image in the symbol medallion is identified in the Dedication bulletin from September 1948 as "the rose of charity."  It is a yellow rose surrounded by feathers, or possibly flames (except they are white, unlike other flames in other windows, that have yellow or red "tongues.")

Various online sources suggest that a yellow rose may indicate friendship or compassion (among many other things!), while the feathers (if that's what they are) remind me of the wings on the Caduceus, the often (mis)used symbol of the medical profession.  

So for me, the image combines healing with friendship and compassion, an interpretation that fits nicely with the actions of the Samaritan and also answers the question Jesus asks, 

Which now, of these three [the Levite, Priest, Samaritan], thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? (Luke 10:36).  

As the lawyer says in response, "he that shewed mercy." And Jesus says, "Go thou and do likewise."  (Luke 10:37)

Prayer:

You have shown us, through your great mercy toward us, what it means to have compassion and be a good neighbor.  Help us imitate your example and deal kindly, helpfully, and bountifully with our neighbors both near and far.  Amen. 

South Aisle, Window 7:  The Good Samaritan and The Prodigal Son

Window Dedication:

In loving memory of my husband Rudolf Giselius
Given by Ragna Giselius

 

Window 6b: I am the Light of the World

 In the second panel of Window 6, Christ is represented as "the Light of the World."  In John 8, this saying of Jesus immediately follows the incident of the woman taken in adultery, about whom Jesus said,

 "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.  And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one....Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying I am the light of the world:  he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life "(John 8:7b-9a, 12).

Window 4b:  "I am the Light of the World" (John 8:12)

In the image medallion, Jesus stands in a blaze of light rays, holding a lighted lamp.  The use of white and yellow glass "rays" against the blue background is particularly striking on a sunny day, when this panel glows brightly with all the light these "rays" let through.

The lighted lamp, also present in the symbol medallion, reminds us that Christ brings light to dark places, helping us to see our sinfulness and clear our hearts and minds in the "light of life." 

Given the context in which this "I am" statement is found (John 8, quoted above), we see how Christ's words convict the men of their own sinfulness, leading to his statement about being the light of the world.  Therefore, this "I am" statement is about much more than Jesus simply showing us the way or lighting our path -- it's also about showing us who we are (enlightening us), so that we can repent and approach Him with a clean heart and renewed spirit.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, our light and our salvation, shine your light into our lives, that we may see every speck of dirt and cobweb and be able to cleanse our hearts and minds, so we can see you more clearly every day.  Amen.

South Aisle, Window 6: 
 I am the good shepherd; I am the light of the world.

Window Dedication:

Given in Loving Memory 
of their Mother and Father, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Boor
 by Mr. and Mrs. Dale Mahlum

Window 6a: I am the Good Shepherd

 Window 6 celebrates two of Jesus' statements about who he is -- two of the seven "I am" statements found in the gospel of John.  Each of these is a metaphorical statement:  Jesus says, I am....

• The bread of life (John 6:35)
• The light of the world (John 8:12) -- depicted in Window 6b
• The door (John 10:7)
• The good shepherd (John 10:14) -- depicted below in Window 6a
• The resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
• The way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)
• The true vine (John 15:1) -- depicted in the window borders throughout

The first panel in Window 6, at the east end of the south aisle, depicts Jesus as the Good Shepherd.  In presenting this statement about himself, Jesus says,

I am the good shepherd:  the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth:  and the wolf catcheth them and scattereth the sheep.  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father:  and I lay down my life for the sheep  (John 10:11-15)

South Aisle, Window 6a:  
"I am the Good Shepherd" John 10:14

The depiction of Jesus in the image medallion shows us Christ with a shepherd's crook in one hand, cradling a lamb in the other.  Behind him is a fenced area (sheep fold?) with five more sheep.  

This imagery is common to the culture of Jesus' time and earlier -- the responsibilities and challenges of the shepherd were clear to his listeners, although less so today.  The shepherd was a leader, protector, and nurturer of his flock.  In making the direct comparison, Jesus is claiming this for himself; in addition, he is a GOOD shepherd (in contrast to leaders who think about themselves rather than their flock when problems arise).

In the symbol medallion, we see the entwined Greek letters "alpha" and "omega," representing another "I am" statement Jesus makes, this time in Revelation 1:8:  "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending...which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

The two letters are the first and last of the Greek alphabet.  Shown together, they represent totality of existence; shown with Christ, they remind us that this Good Shepherd is with us always, caring, leading, and protecting his people even through the "valley of the shadow of death" so that we may "dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalm 23:4a, 6b).

Prayer:

Dear Jesus our Shepherd, thank you for your constant comfort and support as we go about our daily lives.  Be with us in times of joy and sorrow, and guide us finally to our destined home with you.  Amen.

South Aisle, Window 6:
 I am the good shepherd; I am the light of the world.

Window Dedication: 

Given in Loving Memory
of their Mother and Father, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Boor
 by Mr. and Mrs. Dale Mahlum

Window 5b: The Transfiguration

The second panel of Window 5 illustrates the transfiguration, as described in Mark 9:2-4: 

And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves:  and he was transfigured before them.  And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.  And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses:  and they were talking with Jesus.

Window 5b:  "He was transfigured
before them" (Mark 9:2)

 In the image medallion, Christ, larger and higher than the others, appears in white, surrounded by gold rays to signify the shining of his clothing in transfiguration.  

The three disciples, Peter, James, and John, stand on the left, looking up at him.  On the right are Moses and Elijah.  Moses is holding the tablets of the law, while Elijah, who represents the prophets has his hands raised before his breast in prayer.  All five men are of similar height and color, suggesting they are relatively equal in importance.  Note that the Old Testament figures wear slightly different halos (see "A Few Notes about Halos" for more information).

In this way, we are able to visualize Christ as the fulfillment of the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah), as He himself indicated in Matthew 5:17 (Window 5a).  He is similar to both Moses and Elijah, but greater.

The image in the symbol medallion is the five-pointed star of Epiphany which revealed the infant Christ to the Wise Men, and here provides a similar revelation to the three disciples, for they hear "a voice [coming] out of the cloud saying, This is my beloved son:  hear him" Mark 9:7b.

The disciples, therefore,  have a moment of realization, recognizing who Christ truly is and how he relates to leaders and prophets who preceded him.  It is a moment to sustain them, and us today, at times when our faith stumbles and we feel overwhelmed.

Prayer:

Thank you, Father, for the gift of your Son, and for this revelation to the disciples that helps clarify Christ's position as a fulfillment of Old Testament law and prophecy.  Amen.

 

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

Window Dedication:

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

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