The historic lesson for this festival and our text for this evening is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew has been called the most “Jewish” of the Gospels. Matthew begins right away in chapter 1 with a genealogy of Jesus that traces Jesus as a descendant of father Abraham, through the proud tribe of Judah, right on through Israel’s great King David. From the outset Matthew wants to present a thoroughly Jewish Messiah!
You’ve got to have the right person with you. That makes all the difference. It is a lesson learned early on in life. Ask the child, “Who do you want to go with you?” Work your way through the list. “You want me to take you?” A little head shakes, “No.” “Do you want Uncle Squirt? He’s fun!” Still shaking “no.” “You want Aunt Deb?” No. “Do you want mommy to go with you?” Now we’re getting somewhere! Now you have mentioned the one who is always there! Now you have mentioned the one who can always be trusted! Now the head goes up and down! “Yes! I will go IF mom goes!”
A couple of weeks ago, we went on a tour of the Pabst Mansion in Milwaukee. The Pabst Mansion is the home Frederic Pabst built back in the 1800’s. It is a grand Victorian mansion typical of what some would call “The Gilded Age.” Upon entering the mansion, one stands in a grand entry area. There is a beautiful grand staircase that ascends three stories. I noticed another set of stairs in the home. This set was around the back of the home, by the back door. It was just an enclosed narrow staircase. It was the servants’ staircase. Only members of the Pabst family and their distinguished guests used the grand staircase; the servants the other.
