The window pictures Jesus ascending into heaven with his hands raised in blessing over his disciples. Jerusalem is in the background, as are the hills of Judea. The supposed site of the Ascension is on the Mount of Olives…the southeastern side. That would put Bethany off to the right (east). Luke 24:50,51 say, “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.” Acts 1:9 also says, “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” In the window Jesus is depicted as standing on the cloud that would take him from their sight.
Acts 1:10,11 say the words on the plaque below the window, “They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” In the window the angel is pointing at Jerusalem where the disciples were told to wait for the Holy Spirit. This would happen on Pentecost Day, ten days later than the Ascension. The angel is also pointing to heaven where Jesus was going…and where the disciples too would go. The comfort in the raised hands with their wound marks is that this is the same way we are all going to see Jesus coming again on the clouds. He will be coming with his arms raised in blessing.
CROSS AND CROWN WINDOW
Cross and Crown Lutheran Church
Georgetown, Texas 78628