Lessons at St. Machar’s

Today we visited St. Machar’s Church in Old Aberdeen. There has been a church operating on this site since around 580 AD. The current sanctuary was completed around 1520—just prior to the coming of the Reformation to Scotland.

Note the ceiling in the picture; it is stunning. It is also worthy of serious reflection as it is an architectural representation of Psalm 47:8-9. These verses read:

God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted.

The ceiling is lined with shields, representing all the princes and powers of Europe at the time. It was designed to proclaim the truth of the Gospel—Jesus Christ is the ruler of the kings on earth! He is enthroned above all the peoples!

This was a wonderful reminder from the far north of Scotland expressed with a simple elegance.