Jesus Window
In the front of the sanctuary we see Jesus speaking his comforting words, “Come unto me.”
Do you know where in the Scripture the small symbols in each of the panels are found ? See Below!
Jesus Window (Five Panels)
Panel 1:
Boy Jesus sitting among the teachers in the Temple. He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:39-52
The Ship is a symbol for the church. The symbol may have been patterned after the ark of Noah, which bore God’s faithful to safety through the Deluge. Jesus’ calming of the storm also helped to make the boat a symbol of safety and refuge. The central seating area of a large church is called the “nave“, which is Latin for “ship”. Mark 4:37
Panel 2:
The Torch is primarily used as a symbol of Christ’s Passion.
Holy Bible A book most commonly represents the Word of God, the Bible. An open book represents truth or revelation. In the hands of an Apostle, a book represents the writings of the New Testament (Old Testament writings are usually represented by a scroll).
Panel 3:
The Dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. It is taken from the story of Jesus’ baptism, where the Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. The three-rayed nimbus around its head identifies the Spirit as a member of the Trinity. “And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.” Matthew 3:16
Jesus with the inscription, Come unto me. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Luther’s Seal “Grace and peace from the Lord. As you desire to know whether my painted seal, which you sent to me, has hit the mark, I shall answer most amiably and tell you my original thoughts and reason about why my seal is a symbol of my theology. The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us. ‘For one who believes from the heart will be justified’ (Romans 10:10.) Although it is indeed a black cross, which mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its natural color. It does not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill but keeps alive. ‘The just shall live by faith’ (Romans 1:17) but by faith in the crucified. Such a heart should stand in the middle of a white rose, to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In other words, it places the believer into a white, joyous rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). That is why the rose should be white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and the angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12) Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of the heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet revealed. And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that such blessedness in Heaven lasts forever and has no end. Such blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable, most precious and best metal. This is my compendium theoligae [summary of theology]. I have wanted to show it to you in good friendship, hoping for your appreciation. May Christ, our beloved Lord, be with your spirit until the life hereafter. Amen. ” A note on the text of this letter: Martin Luther, Letter to Lazarus Spengler, July 8, 1530,
Panel 4:
The Cross and Crown is a symbol of the reward in heaven that awaits believers after the trials of this life. “From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day,” 2 Timothy 4:8 , 1 Peter 5:4, James 1:12-18
The Anchor symbolizes the Christian’s hope in Christ. “We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain” Hebrews 6:17-20
Panel 5:
Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches his disciples. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5-7
Alpha and Omega Jesus revelation of himself. God identifies himself as “Alpha and Omega.” Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and omega is the last letter of the alphabet. In other words God is “the beginning and the end.” Revelation 1:8 Revelation 22:13
Many members contributed to the fund and dedicated the window on November 10, 1946 to members who have served in the armed forces of the country; 220 St. Luke’s members served in the armed forces in World War II and six of them perished.
