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!”

The Lord many times comes to rescue his people. The entire Old Testament tells story after story of the Lord’s gracious and powerful intervention on behalf of his own. Perhaps the greatest and best-known story in the Old Testament of rescue is the story of how the Lord brought the nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt.

This Sunday Pastor Luke Werre is leading our worship service. He serves at Peace Lutheran in Sun Prairie.

The people were waiting for a new king and a new kingdom. This hope and expectation had been borne in them by the sacred text of the Old Testament. Already in Genesis, aged Jacob had prophesied about the One who would come from Judah to whom the scepter belonged. (Genesis 49:10) Their hope of a future king and kingdom was further shaped by prophecies like Isaiah who spoke about the Child, the Son, who would have the government on his shoulders, whose government and reign would never end. (Isaiah 9:6-7) At the time of Daniel, the people were given the description of the one “like a son of man” who approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all peoples, nations, and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14) Jewish hopes and expectations hung on a king and a new kingdom.