Our Stained Glass Window Story
Our stain glass window is inspired by our understanding of the Bible parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:30-36:
“Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' NKJV
The “certain man” in this parable is broken, helpless humanity left for dead on the side of the road that even the most religious of people intentionally passed by. The “Good Samaritan” is a picture of Jesus who without concern for His own convenience goes out of His way to minister to the needs of hurting humanity. After tending to his immediate needs the Good Samaritan takes the man to the “inn” which we see as a symbol of the church. There the Savior entrusts the man to the care of the “inn keeper” (others He has rescued.) The Savior says to the innkeeper(s), “Take care of him and when I return I will repay you!”
The stain glass image shows Jesus with a rescued person in His arms. He is redeemed and safe in Jesus arms through the power and merits of His cross that is behind Him. Jesus hands are stretched out inviting His redeemed people to join Him in the important work of saving those who are victims of the devil’s thievery. Jesus posture and body language appeal to us, “Will you join me and care for these I died to help? His words echo deep within our hearts, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'