Jesus' Life in Stained Glass
As you leave the Narthex, you enter the Nave, which is the chief or main body of a church, It extends from the entrance to the chancel. It comes from the Latin word for "ship", referring to the ark of salvation, hence the body of the church building where the faithful are during the public liturgy. Pews are here for the worshipers. The rowers of the benches in an ancient ship may be compared to people sitting in church pews, with Christ as captain, the ministers as officers, and the other workers constituting the crews.
You will note ten stained
glass windows on the main floor. They reveal the important events of Jesus' life. The
story of Jesus in stained glass windows. We will start on the West and then move to the
East and back and forth until we get to the front of the church.
The first window on the West is Jesus' birth.
(Mt. 1:18-2:23, Lk. 1:26-2:40) It tells us that Mary and Joseph had to travel to Joseph's
home town - Bethlehem to enroll for purposes of taxation. Because the town was so crowded,
they were offered refuge in a cave where animals were kept. Therefore, Jesus' bed was the
manger hewn out of rock. Nonetheless, his parents had to be overjoyed with the birth of
this special child, even though they may not have understood the full importance of this
infant in their care. 
The first window on the East is the visit of
the Wisemen. (Mt. 
2:1-12.) Some time later some people who were astrologers
came as emissaries of kings to bring gifts to this new king. They brought gold (symbol of
a king). Frankincense (symbol of worship), and Myrrh (symbol for burial). Already we find
in the symbols what the future held for this young child.
The second window on the West is Jesus in the
Temple at age twelve. (Lk. 2:41-52) Luke tells of Jesus' parents returning to the
town to find him in the temple, questioning the leaders. He astounded them in the depth of
his questions, and he returned home with his earthly parents and was obedient to them.
Perhaps this is a lesson we all could learn from our Lord. No matter what our age, we
should show obedience to our parents. 
The second window on the East is Jesus being
Baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. (Mt. 3:13-17,Mk. l:9-ll,Lk.
3:21-22,Jn. 1:31-34). Jesus' baptism in the River Jordan (a place of flowing water) was a
symbol of Jesus' identity with us. It was for our sake that he took on our condition in
life and gave us as an example the necessary act that we must follow. John the Baptist was
a cousin of Jesus and prepared the world for a far greater one than he to follow. 
The third window on the West is Jesus being
tempted in the wilderness by the devil. (Mt. 4:1-11, Mk. 1:12-13, Lk. 4:1-13).
Immediately after Jesus' Baptism he was thrown into the wilderness to face the evil one
head on. He succeeded in these temptations by quoting the O.T., using the very words the
Israelites used, but failed. We learn that if Jesus could not face the evil one without
the Word of God, what hope do we have in facing the evil one without His Words of life? 
The third window on the East is the Transfiguration of Jesus. (Mt. 17:1-8, Mk. 9:2-8, Lk. 9:28-36). On the Mount when Jesus was transfigured and appeared with Moses and Elijah, he received encouragement to continue on his mission to the Cross. The Disciples wanted to remain there and build booths and to remain forever there, but Jesus sent them down into the world for the task of ministry. Even Jesus would not withdraw from the journey ahead for him, but fulfilled the ministry He had before him.
The
fourth window on the West is the Crucifixion of Jesus. (Mt. 27:27-44, Mk.
15:16-20, Lk. 23:26-56, Jn. 19:1-3) Jesus was betrayed by one of his followers, unfairly
tried, had false testimony given against him. Jesus willingly accepted this fate in his
life knowing that the world rejected the love and hope that he brought to it in God's
Word. It is a sad day when the church and the government convene together to destroy the
Savior of the World. Note the lightning strike at the top of the window. When Jesus died,
it stormed and became dark and the curtain in the temple was torn from the top to the
bottom. 
The fourth window on the East side is the Resurrection of Jesus. (Mt. 28:1-15, Mk. 16:1-8, Lk. 24:1-11, Jn. 20:1-10) Even though Jesus had died and was placed in a tomb, death and the grave could not hold him. Through God's power we realize that what he promised through Jesus came true. There is no power in the world greater than God's power. This is the promise he holds out to every one of us.
The fifth window on the West is the Ascension of Jesus. (Mk.
16:19-20, Lk. 24:50-53) After the resurrection Jesus appeared to many of his disciples.
Then the final step was made, he left us - to go to the right hand of His Father - the
hand of power. He assumed the place he had before before he humbled himself as true man in
our world. (Philippians 2:5-11) 
The fifth window on the East is the Pentecost story. (Acts. 2:1-47) The disciples were inspired to continue to tell the story of Jesus after his Ascension. While Peter was preaching one day, the power of God descended upon the crowd in the form of tongues of fire, and all who were speaking in different languages heard and understood one another. The language of God's love, peace, and hope is universal. The message of God is for everyone throughout the world. No one can keep it for themselves, it is a message for all.
As you look to the upper part of the Nave area, you will see circular windows. These are the Apostles symbols.
We invite you to continue the tour in the Upper Nave.
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(to Upper Nave)
