Day by Day with Martin Luther
Read: Jonah 1:1-4:11 Revelation 5:1-14 Proverbs 29:26-27
“Name Above All Names”
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” [Isaiah 9:6]
The kingdom of Christ is beyond human grasp, reason, and experience. Here the flesh must be put to death with all its wisdom and judgment, and it must be grasped only be faith. We must believe that Christ’s righteousness is ours. Lest we come short in the matter of faith, He gives us counsel, that is, the Word, so that we may abide in so wonderful a government of His kingdom power. Here it is not the person or nature of this king that is depicted, but only His wonderful government of His kingdom. Therefore He has counsel, He has full power, He can come to the aid of the weary and those exhausted by trials. This “Everlasting Father” then, indicates the work and business of this King. This is beyond question the most delightful kingdom.