St John’s without the Barrs

St John’s without the Barrs is a wonderful set of surviving almshouses in the city of Lichfield. The late medieval or Tudor architecture survives and a number of people are pleased to have made it their home. Naturally, there is a chapel within the little complex, and I was pleased to note that it was open. We called on a beautiful, September afternoon with a deep blue sky; the picture below could be mistaken for having an edited background.

It was all perfectly pleasant and nothing struck me as unusual or noteworthy, until I looked up at the east window. Stained glass usually bores me: unless it is bright and cheerful, or pre-Victorian, I find it dull in both senses of the word. St John’s large east window, however, was a little bit weird. I quipped to our group that it was an early Halloween decoration. It depicted a figure, presumably Jesus Christ, in various shades of ghastly blue. He had no pupils in his eyes, lending him the appearance of a Hollywood zombie. Around him are writhing, pale green characters playing crooked musical instruments. The main figure’s arms are outstretched, as though he is shuffling towards the viewer, intentions unknown. All in all, a deeply disturbing picture, and not one, I think, that is conducive to worship.  

Had it been a more conventional depiction, I should have not given it second thought, and certainly not considered it a worthy subject about which to write. A standardised image might have shown the Lord Jesus in a dying posture, or as a meek and gentle teacher and divine healer, a rather more agreeable, if predictable, form. Yet when the Lord comes a second time, He shall be a dreadful Judge and stern Avenger to those who have rejected Him. To we who believe, His appearance will be precious, but to those who disbelieve, His coming will be a disastrous, earth-shattering calamity. Does this window depict Him arrayed in holy horror, seeing Him from the vantage point of impending condemnation?

I still do not like the stained glass of St John’s without the Barrs, and would sooner smash it than have its like installed at Salem Chapel, but it might -just might- be making a valid point about the Lord, which the second psalm also describes:

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance,

and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron;

thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings:

be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry,

and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.

Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. (Psalm 2:8ff, Geneva Bible)

Thank God for that final clause.