The History of the Glass
The Last Supper
When it was evening, He sat at the table with the twelve disciples……Now as they were eating, Jesus took the bread, an blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, “Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins…” - Matthew 26: 20, 26-28
What sorrow this picture above the Altar itself brings to viewer’s mind. Jesus eating his last meal with the twelve disciples. Surely Jesus used this opportunity to share with them the deepest desires of His heart. We must let our imagination go a long mile, noting Jesus is holding the rapt attention of each of His followers. Perhaps he is telling them of His Father’s great expectations of them. Or, could it be that He is presenting that beautiful outline of their patriotism for His New Kingdom? Or perhaps encouraging their loyalty and determination to continue to practice by precept and example, the meaningful purpose of their “King of Kings.” If the viewer looks closely, it will be observed that the cup of grape juice on the table in front of Judas has been turned over and its contents spilled out and running off the table, due to his nervousness over the eventual betrayal.
This is the only picture that does not have a recognition on the picture itself to who it came from. This beautiful picture was presented to Christ Church by the Haeuber: Lena and Anna.
Christ’s Resurrection
“Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. Than go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. Lo, I have told you”
(Matthew 25: 5b – 7)
CHRIST’S RESURRECTION
we find an angel, with wings, sitting at the entrance to the empty tomb, and telling the faithful and curious, that Jesus is not there, but that “He is Risen.” In this picture we find the first test of the people then living and assembled, as to their belief in the “Resurrection.”
This is the only window that does not depict our Lord in some fashion, but it is strong evidence that to believe without seeing, increases our faith. We need but to search and read the particular passages of Scripture that so eloquently and so deeply and so beautifully tell this most interesting story.
Jesus Saving Peter
“Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when He saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught him, saying, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?”
(Matthew 14: 29b – 13)
JESUS SAVING PETER
It was because of His undaunted faith in the power of God, that Jesus had the ability to command even the wind and waves. This scene contrasts Jesus’ faith as opposed to that of His disciples symbolized by Peter. It would be some months yet before His disciples would have received the power from on High they needed to also perform a healing ministry on earth. This scene could represent any of Jesus’ miracles, such as: curing the nobleman’s son of Capernaum at Cana (Bible says he healed the son of an official from Capernaum) (John 4: 46-64); curing a demoniac at Capernaum (Mark 1: 22-28); healing the centurion’s servant at Capernaum (Matt. 8: 5-13); curing a man of the palsy at Capernaum (Matt. 9: 1-8); curing an infirm man at Bethesda in Jerusalem (John 5: 1-9); healing a man who was deaf and dumb at Decapolis (Mark 7: 31-37) or curing a dropsy in Galilee (Luke 13: 11-17). What tremendous soothing effect this picture must have on the believer. Through faith in our Savior, all things are possible.
Jesus in Gethsemane
And they went to a place which was called Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here, while I pray.”…….And going a little farther, He fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the our might pass from Him.
(Mark 14: 32,35)
JESUS IN GETHSEMANE
we see Jesus in a prayerful mood, in the Garden of Gethsemane. As had been His custom whenever He was faced with a major decision in His life, now that Jesus faces His own death, He comes to converse with His Father on High. Jesus shuddered at the possibility of being crucified, but ended His prayer, “Not My will but Thine be done”. The ray of light from Heaven signifies that God was in communion with Him in this very difficult moment of His life. God would not forsake Jesus in His hour of greatest need, and neither will forsake any of us, when we come to Him in prayer. He is with us in this life, and into life Everlasting.
The Birth of Jesus
And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
(Luke 2: 7)
THE BIRTH OF JESUS
The birth of our Savior has presented a chapter in the history of time that has startled the people of all races and climes. Thousands of books have been written on this blessed event, and millions of souls have known that peace, which passes all understanding. So many hearts have been softened and spared the anguish of pain, because of a faith in the Lord Jesus. It is best told in the book of Luke, Chapter No. 2, especially how the Child increased in wisdom and in favor with His Father and men.
Jesus at the Door
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me. He who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let hem hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.”
(Revelation 3: 2-22)
JESUS AT THE DOOR
Towards the front of the church, we find a most familiar biblical landmark, that of Jesus standing at the door. This also reminds us of His words in Matthew 7, verse 7 and 8, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” How much this passage is appreciated, is little known, without this significant passage, many a mortal plan of peaceful living, would never have been accomplished or even had a chance of existing.
Jesus with the Children
And they were bringing the children to Him, that He might touch them; …. and Jesus said to them “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And He took them in His arms and blessed them laying His hands upon them.
(Mark 10: 13a, 14b-16)
JESUS WITH THE CHILDREN
In all of our Sunday School lessons, and in Sunday morning sermons, we have heard so often, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me and forbid them not.” Jesus seemed to be at His best and at His best and at peace with little children. Without a doubt, all loved Him, for He always had a message of importance and assurance to tell. Unless the child is taught properly at the beginning, we cannot expect mortal miracles of morality as he grows into manhood.
Christ’s Ascension
And when He had said this, as they were looking on, He was lifted, and cloud took Him out of the sight.
(Acts 1: 9b)
CHRIST’S ASCENSION
We pause in silence as we view the first amazingly historical picture of Christ’s ascension into Heaven, and we look with sadness upon the pierced psalms of His hands and the horrified evidence on His feet, of how men nailed Him to the Cross. As we glance at this bewildering, shocking and extremely unpleasant tableau, or living picture, we are reminded of the tremendous odds and the mental sufferings that Jesus faced in His ministry, and of what we as creatures of the planet earth, owe to our Creator and His Only Begotten Son. Also, we find in this picture a story of steadfast devotion that our Savior had for His Father in Heaven. It reminds us, how too often, we forget to look to our Creator for the necessary heavenly assistance we need in coping with earthly mortal problems.
The Beckoning Jesus
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11: 28-30)
THE BECKONING JESUS
How often we have heard during the Sacrament of Holy Communion His comforting words which beckon us onto His Kingdom, “Come to Me all you that are heavy laden …. And I will give you rest.” Many times, Christ himself come into communion with His Heavenly Father as He walked in solitude through the hillsides of Judea. Many questions were probably asked by Him of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, to which He received answers even as we do in prayer, but as we know the answers sometimes still leaves us bewildered. Jesus, like us, had Jesus to walk by faith while He was here on earth. The quietness and serenity of this picture, however, reminds us that all we need in this life is trust in God, and a willingness to come to Him in all conditions of life.
Jesus Teaching the Mulititudes
Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down His disciples come to Him. And He opened His mouth and taught them…… (Matthew 5: 1-2)
JESUS TEACHING THE MULTITUDES
At this window, we find our Lord and Savior in a familiar setting, that of preaching to the multitudes, which is found recorded in the Scriptures so many times. It was on an occasion such as this one, that Jesus felt compassion on the crowds who had listened to Him all day, and performed the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000.