Spotlight on Symbols -- #4
The Conquering Lamb
June 11, 2006
In the bottom right panel of the chancel window is the figure of a standing lamb holding an unfurled banner. This is the classic Agnus Dei (the Lamb of God) which is also pictured in our stained glass window facing Telfair.
Though sometimes pictured lying down atop the book of seven seals symbolizing Christ’s finished work (Re. 5:1), the lamb in our window stands in triumph over all his and our enemies (Re. 17:14). The unfurled banner is a pennant flag bearing the image of a cross. Such flags represent victory and joy. Therefore, the pennant flag became an early symbol of the resurrection because of the joy we have in Christ’s victory of sin and death This is, in other words, our “banner of victory” (Ps. 60:4).
When John the Baptist announced Jesus’ debut as the Messiah he said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn. 1:29, cf. 1:36). John was informing his hearers that the Father’s gift of the last Lamb had arrived. And we remember with joy this day that though each of us like sheep had gone astray, God laid on him the iniquity of us all. And the punishment which brought us our peace was upon him (Is. 53:5,6). Let us therefore pass that peace one to another.
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