Welcome back to another Windows Wednesday! Today, we are examining the middle section of Sanctuary Window 4—The Comforter. This entire window focuses on the trait of compassion and comforting exhibited by Jesus, and this is clearly evident in the scene depicted here. We see Jesus at the house of Mary and Martha, shortly after the death of Lazarus.

This is a compelling and personal story about the ministry of Jesus. Found in the book of John, chapter 11, it begins with a message from Mary and Martha that their brother, Lazarus, is ill and near death. They beg Jesus to come and heal their brother, and Jesus and his disciples, ignoring the danger, return to Judea. Jesus knows before they arrive that Lazarus has died, saying to His disciples “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” (John 11:11) When he arrives, Mary and Martha weep, saying faithfully that if Jesus had been there, they are confident Lazarus would have been healed. Seeing their distress, Jesus weeps with them and reassures them that all will be well, as seen in this image.

Indeed, Lazarus was raised from the dead. He became a symbol of the power of God and a foreshadowing of the coming resurrection of Christ. If you scroll over the image below, you will see the artist’s design for the window.

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. Jesus began to weep. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” … So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” John 11:21-23, 33, 35, 39, 41-43

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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.