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Hello St. John’s Family,
Every now and then, something I have seen or heard many times before will strike me in a completely new way. Either a saying, or an image… or sometimes both will connect in my mind in a completely new way. I’m not sure why or how our brains process information such that new insights suddenly “click” after seeing something we’ve seen before, yet it’s a powerful experience when that happens.
Recently, in preparation for upcoming services, I turned to a book that I’ve referred to many times before. The cover features an image of the Wales Window, and the familiar image struck me in a new way. The Wales Window is a magnificent stained-glass window powerfully depicting the crucifixion, located at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
Many will recall how this congregation experienced a horrific bombing on a Sunday morning in1963, killing 4 young African American girls, injuring many others, and shocking the world for its callous brutality and hatred. Interestingly, all stained-glass windows in the church were destroyed, except for one that depicted Jesus leading young children. When the news of this horrific act spread, an artist living in Wales named John Petts wanted to respond in love by replacing one of the damaged windows. As recounted in the Birmingham Times in 2018, “Sharing his idea with David Cole, editor of The Western Mail, a front-page appeal was made to raise funds for a replacement window. Rather than have one or two wealthy individuals providing the funding, Cole called for donations to be capped to a maximum of half a crown (around 15 U.S. cents in today’s money), so that the window would be given by the people of Wales.”[1] Petts then designed and crafted the Wales Window.
The window image is powerful and moving. Christ is depicted as a black man, arms outstretched, with his right hand pushing away hatred and violence and his left hand open and extended, offering forgiveness. Yet what struck me this day was the portion of Matthew 25:40 that is featured in the lower portion of the window: You do it to me.
You do it to me. Often, we think of this verse in the context of Jesus’ judgement parable (Matt. 25:31-46), noting how those who serve those sick, imprisoned, hungry, and naked in this world are serving Christ… and those who do not are neglecting Christ. Seeing those words in the context of the cross, though, moved me powerfully. When I get frustrated and shout an insult at a driver who aggravates me, I am doing that to Christ. When I lash out at someone else, I am doing it to Christ. When I hold hatred in my heart against others whom I disagree with, I am doing that to Christ. When my apathy causes me to neglect the persecution or suffering of others, I am neglecting Christ.
As Lent moves toward its conclusion in Jerusalem, we are vividly reminded of how our missteps and mistakes persecute Christ. Seeing that familiar image of the Wales Window and reading Christ’s words drove that point home to me in a powerful way. That image also reminded me of the abundant grace that Christ longs to extend to any and all people. Those are seemingly opposing realties, yet (thanks be to God!) they are true realities. They are the realities that we are called to ponder anew as Holy Week approaches.
I hope you’ll join me in doing that – pausing, reflecting, and pondering the mystery and cost of Christ’s grace – this Sunday in our Palm and Passion Worship Services (9am and 10:30am). We’ll be guided by powerful music and scripture as we follow Christ to Jerusalem, and all Jerusalem will bring. I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday-
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
[1] https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2018/10/the-iconic-wales-window-inside-16th-street-baptist-church/
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