Today for Windows Wednesday, we are looking at the middle section of Sanctuary Window 8, the Son of God. As with the other windows in the Sanctuary, this section features a scene from the life of Jesus. In this case, we are looking at a representation of the event known as the Transfiguration, the story of which is told in the passage from the book of Matthew below.

Jesus took three disciples, Peter, James, and John, to the top of a mountain. We see the three disciples on their knees at the bottom of the image. While on the mountain, they saw Jesus’ face and white robes shining. In this depiction, we see the footprints of Jesus below him, as he hovers above the ground. He is joined by the prophet Elijah and Moses, identified respectively by the Torah scroll and the Ten Commandments on tablets. Again, as He did during the Baptism, God claims Jesus as His son using the same words, with the additional admonition to “listen to him”. Once again, a vision of God establishes clearly Jesus’ relationship to God and to the founders of the Hebrew faith.

Click or scroll over the image below to see the artist’s design for the window.

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” And the disciples asked him, “Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He replied, “Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist. Matthew 17:1–13

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About the Author

Adam Alderson is the business manager and director of Resurrection at the United Methodist Church of Kent. He has a B.A. in Classics with a minor in Art History from Kent State University, and enjoys reading, graphic and web design, and singing and acting locally. Adam lives in Stow with his wife, Patti, and son, Alexander.