Here we are for another Windows Wednesday! We are studying the seventh Sanctuary window, The Man of Sorrows. Today we will look at the middle portion; the scene from the life of Christ.

Pictured here, we see Jesus bearing His cross with the help of Simon the Cyrenian, as told in the book of Matthew. There are several symbolic elements featured here as well. Crossed above the pair are the club, used to beat Jesus, and the reed, given to Jesus as a mock scepter. Hanging directly above the head of Jesus, like the sword over Damocles, we see the three nails that would be used to bind him to the cross.

This image is very appropriate, as Ash Wednesday falls next week, inaugurating Lent, the annual time of reflection and penitence in Christian life. It is important to reflect on these events of Good Friday and the sacrifice of Jesus as Easter approaches. Click or scroll over the image below to see the artist’s design for this window.

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. Matthew 27:28–32

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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.