Human pride is a stunning thing . Sometimes it is stunning in its silliness. For example, there is a character in a movie named Miles Gloriosus. He is a captain in the Roman army. And in one scene, before getting off his horse, he announces, “Stand aside everyone! I take large steps!” Sometimes human pride is stunning because it is nonsensical. Nietzsche once wrote: “I have reached such a height that when I stand atop the summit, I look down upon myself.” Huh? Or, a musician once commented, “My greatest pain is that I cannot watch myself perform live.” Sometimes pride is stunning because it is so blasphemous and disturbing. Some of you will remember years ago when the Beatles were at their peak and John Lennon announced, “We’re more popular than Jesus now.” Another pop artist of more recent vintage proclaimed, “Some accuse me of worshiping the devil. If there was a devil, he would worship me.”

Have you ever noticed how often we find the Son of God in the most unlikely of places? It just happened. We celebrated Christmas and we found the Son of God in a trough, in a feed-box for animals! Not exactly where one would expect to find the Son of God. It happens time and again in his ministry. We find him in the company of society’s “outcasts.” Those known only as “sinners.” We will find the Son of God on a smelly donkey on Palm Sunday. We will find him as a defendant in court. We will find him on a cross. And we will find him temporarily in a tomb. Not exactly places we would expect to find the Son of God.

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!”