St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, Gosberton
How old is the window?
The current East Window of the Lady Chapel was inserted around 1700, replacing what had been a much larger one. The window was reglazed in 1896 with stained glass. The glazing was the gift of Mrs. Henry Everard, in memory of her husband (an epitaph to him can be read along the bottom sections of the windows). The Everards divided their time between their homes at Gosberton House and Leamington Spa.
The window glazing is certainly a treat to the eyes, and worthy of a close and prolonged examination.
What – and who – does the artwork depict?
The scene depicts the biblical story of the Walk to Emmaus, as told in the Gospel of Luke.
Luke tells the story of that first Easter afternoon when the risen Christ appeared to the two followers of Jesus who were walking together along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They don’t recognise the man, thinking him to be a pilgrim who must have witnessed Jesus’ death. During the walk Jesus remains ignorant about the events of the past few days. He listens intently to their discussion. The followers tell him of their shattered hopes and dreams for Jesus, the prophet, who through his great and mighty works and preaching would redeem Israel. The concept of redemption for these followers and for many other Jews meant that a conquering, all-powerful Messiah would come and lead them to freedom. Their idea of redemption had been decimated by the death of Jesus. They also believed that the women’s story of Jesus’ Resurrection was simply an idle tale. Jesus, still the stranger to the followers, proceeds to explain through scriptures that fulfilment of the expectation of the People of God for a Messiah had been accomplished through the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. Upon arriving at Emmaus the followers invite the stranger, who has now become the companion on the journey, to stay and prepare to spend the night with them. Jesus remains and takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it and gives it to them. It is at this moment, as the scriptures have been explained to them that their hearts burn, they are transformed and they realise their companion is the Risen Jesus.
It is the message of faith nourished by Jesus, the living bread that many believers take from this narrative. Believers are sustained by faith in Jesus that burns within their hearts. Another universal message for believers is that death does not put an end to one’s life. However, the essence of this passage is that the Messiah must suffer and die before he enters glory. This explains that the death of Jesus, the Messiah was in keeping with God’s purpose.
