I am come not to destroy but to fulfill

    "I am come," said Jesus, referring to the law and the prophets, "not to destroy but to fulfill."

     The large central medallion shows Jesus being baptized by John in the river Jordan. John's preaching had already marked him as a towering figure in the eminent succession of the prophets of Israel. Jesus is soon to say of John, "I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John: Yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." Thus is set the theme for the window - fulfillment of law and prophets.

     Symbols of four major prophets surround the tablets of the law across which the theme of the window is inscribed. To the left of the inscription,  Isaiah is symbolized by two images:  tongs holding a burning coal (from the altar of sacrifice),  with which his lips were touched, and a saw, the legendary instrument of his martyrdom. Jeremiah's symbol, directly above the inscription, is a cistern with flowing water. To the right of the inscription,  a ram with four horns represents Daniel. Below the inscription, Ezekiel, a prophet of the exile, is symbolized by a turreted gateway.

     In the six small medallions, the theme of fulfillment is illustrated by events and teachings taken from Jesus's earthly life. First, in the left lancet at top, Jesus is shown in the wilderness tempted of Satan. Next below is the scene of Christ and His apostles walking in the field on the Sabbath and gathering some grain with which to satisfy their hunger, the gathering and the threshing by hand being unlawful by the old standards. Jesus gives a new interpretation - a "fulfillment." At bottom, He is shown casting the moneychangers from the Temple. "Is it not written," He asks, "'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But you have made it a den of robbers."

     In the right lancet, top, Jesus is shown washing Peter's feet with Simon vigorously protesting the menial service. Below, the Lord is cruelly stretched on the cross of Calvary by the soldiers of Rome. At the bottom, Judas tries to return to the priests the only recompense for his infamy which was the thirty pieces of silver paid him in return for his betrayal.

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