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The
unique and beautiful mural above the altar of Zion Lutheran Church, “Christ
Triumphant", is a gift from one of our members, Mr. Willard Sauter.
After 3 ˝ years of work
(about 700 man-hours), the mural was dedicated, on December 18, 1966, to the
glory of God and in memory of Muriel P. Sauter, the artist's wife, who died in
1955.
The
mural measures 8 feet wide and 21 feet high, and is painted in oil on one
continuous piece of mural canvas.
(Click on mural to view it on full page)
The
beauty of the mural is enhanced by knowing the interpretation of its various,
figures, which follows. Admire it
from your seat, and feel free to come up for a closer look before or after
services.
The
figure of Jesus Christ dominates the mural as He rises from and through a
semi-circular world. He confronts
the viewer with searching brown eyes and inviting - outstretched arms.
Incorporated
in the design are symbols of His birth, death, resurrection and second coming.
The
six-pointed star - symbolic of His birth - is the star of David.
In Revelation 22:16, Christ says, "I am the root and offspring of
David, and the bright and morning star." In Matthew 2:2, the Wise
Men say, "For we have seen His star in the East, and are come to worship
Him." The star is made of two triangles, one representing the Trinity -
God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - and pointing up.
The second
points down to man.
Behind
and through the, figure of Christ is a cross, suggesting His sacrificial death
and crucifixion. Hebrews 12:2, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher
of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the
cross."
Christ's
resurrection is suggested by His position above the world and by the position
of His feet, which are not resting on the earth.
The
clouds above the cross serve to remind of His second coming.
Luke 22:27, "And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a
cloud with power and, great glory." Revelation 1:7, "Behold, He
cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him –“.
Notice
that the scars in His hands and feet are the shape of men and women –
"He was wounded for our transgressions." -- Isaiah 53:5.
The
brown and blue areas of the world from a short distance appear to be
water and land masses, but upon closer inspection reveal heads of people of
various races. Christ was
concerned about people, not earthly territory.
See Matthew 4:8.
The
light ray which envelops Him and cuts through the darkness emphasizes that He
is the light of the world. He is
meant to be masculine-looking, and His robes of white and red are symbolic of
purity and sacrifice. The right
hand, as you view the mural, seems inviting; the left hand, with fingers
spread, is a gesture of explanation or reasoning.
Christ is pictured as our Savior by the one, and our teacher by the
other.
The
geometric treatment of the design, with its interesting color patterns,
permits a harmonious transition from the colored windows of the pediment
through the mural to the church altar.
Mr.
Sauter was aided in his work on the mural by his children, John, Bruce and
Jeanne, and by Pastor John H. Sprock and various members of the congregation,
who assisted him in many ways and for whose help and suggestions he is most
grateful.