 THE GRACE OF GOD ALMIGHTY GIVEN TO US THROUGH HIS SON
This is the subject of the mural in
Grace Lutheran Church – Sturgis, South Dakota
"The mural depicts the Grace of God Almighty given to us through his Son, based on the Word (Symbols of the Gospels) which we hold to be true." This is a direct quotation of the author and painter of this mural, Robert J. Aldern.
The central figure of this mural is Jesus Christ. The centrality of Christ is the most important aspect of the mural. I am a Christian because of Jesus and what he means to me.
Out of God’s grace we have Him in love (John 3:16) sending His only begotten Son to become incarnate, born of the Virgin Mary. The Christmas Gospel (Luke 2) is the subject of the scene to the lower left of the central figure of Jesus Christ. The figures symbolize our Lord’s birth. Joseph is standing behind the mother and Child wearing his carpenter’s apron. The mother is seated holding the Christ child in her arms. The color of the Child’s face is unique in that every race could claim him as their Savior. Three wise men kneel at the feet of Jesus.
The figures to the lower right of the center are Peter, James, and John with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17). The end of the Lord’s prophetic mission is at hand. Now Jesus, the High Priest, is to offer Himself as the Lamb of God. Moses and Elijah come to talk with Jesus about His great task, the redemption of sinful mankind. The three disciples go into ecstasy over the glory, which they behold.
Reading from top to bottom the central figures speak the Confession of Faith of the Christian Church, "I believe in God the Father (symbol of the creative hand of God from the clouds), the Son (symbol of Christ with arms and hands raised in benediction), the Son (symbol of Christ with arms and hands raised in benediction), and the Holy Spirit (symbol of the dove descending to the altar)."
This confession of Christian faith rests upon the symbols for the four Gospels. St. Matthew (winged man) for this Gospel begins with the human ancestry of Christ. St. Mark (winged lion) for this Gospel opens with a description of the "voice of one crying in the wilderness". St. Luke (winged ox) for this Gospel gives the most complete account of the sacrificial death of Christ. St. John (eagle) for this Gospel soars heavenward.
On the left of Jesus and on the vesture falling form His right arm we have the symbol for the Sacrament of holy Baptism (seashell). The running water symbolizes the washing away of sins (washing of regeneration – Titus 3). After such washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit we are made Christians (symbol of the fish) through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
On the right of Jesus and on the vesture falling form his left arm we have the symbol (Chalice and wafer of unleavened bread on the altar; the parament of which contains the symbol – three circles – for the Holy Trinity) for the Sacrament of holy Communion (Matthew 26:26-29)(Also see mark 14 and Luke 22).
The five small crosses on the figure of Christ are symbols of his five wounds (John 19) (John 19:34)(John 20:24-29). |
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