St Giles in the Field: Pictures by the Altar

St Giles in the Fields, London, is a fine eighteenth-century London church for which our capital is famous. The ‘altar’ was seldom the focal point of a Georgian church, which was rightly the pulpit, from which sermons were delivered and Common Prayer read. Either side of that communion table, however, are two paintings of Biblical figures. On the left is Moses the lawgiver. And who, pray tell, might his colleague or counterpart be? Elijah, representing the prophets, who appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration? The Lord Jesus Himself, through whom came grace and truth? It is actually Aaron, a somewhat underrated figure. He represents the priesthood, and served as Israel’s first High Priest. Great as these two brothers were, and greater still the wonderful offices they held, they were flawed men. Moses was denied entry to the Promised Land on account of his words, and Aaron was instrumental in the construction of the golden calf.

Both pictures remind the worshipper of his need for someone better: a law giver who is perfect and a high priest without blemish. They both therefore point to the cross standing on the table in their midst. Moses and Aaron, just like Elijah, David and Adam himself, all point us to Jesus, not just in their offices and honours, but also in their weaknesses and dishonours.