Windows at rear of Nave
The windows contain four designs that draw on descriptions of Jesus from Holy Scripture. The central window is a design of the Luther Rose.
The Shield of Faith Window – “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16). The cross at the center of the shield reminds us that the death of Jesus on the cross was the event that marked the victory over sin, death and the devil. The evil one continues to harass the faithful, yet our faith granted by God’s grace, extinguishes the devil’s accusations, keeping us firm in the faith until we die.
The Alpha and Omega Window – Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek language, the language of the New Testament. In three verses of the Revelation to Saint John, Jesus is identified as the Alpha and Omega of our salvation (Revelation 1:8; 21:16 and 22:13). He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) and is our eternal Savior from the power of sin and death.
Luther’s Seal Window - The most enduring symbol of the Lutheran Reformation is the seal that Luther himself designed to represent his theology. By the early 1520s, this seal begins to appear on the title page of Luther’s works. Here is how Luther himself explained its meaning:
First, there is a black cross in a heart that remains its natural color. This is to remind me that it is faith in the Crucified One that saves us. Anyone who believes from the heart will be justified (Romans 10:10). It is a black cross, which mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the heart its natural color. It doesn’t destroy nature, that is to say, it does not kill us but keeps us alive, for the just shall live by faith in the Crucified One (Romans 1:17). The heart should stand in the middle of a white rose. This is to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace—it puts the believer into a white, joyous rose. Faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). This is why the rose must be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that a joyful spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope, not yet fully revealed. Around the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize that blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and better than any possessions, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal.
The Anchor Window - The New Testament book of Hebrews uses the anchor as a symbol of hope and stability for the Christian during life’s storms and at death: “so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf.” (Hebrews 6:18-20). An anchor, the symbol of their firm hope in an eternal life with their Savior, can be found on the tombs of the Christians in the Roman catacombs (c. late 100-400 AD). That hope remains our anchor even now!
The Candle Window - In the Gospel according to St. John, chapter eight, Jesus said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” He shines the light of His saving grace into our hearts and brings us to new life. The candle of the window also provides us a wonderful parting reminder of Jesus’ words in Matthew chapter five: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”