Five Minutes Daily with Luther - January 14

(Reprinted with permission from Five Minutes Daily with Luther: Daily Lessons from the Writings of Martin Luther, by John Theodore Mueller.)

"Make me understand the way of Thy precepts: so I will meditate on Thy wonders. . . . Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul observes them" Psalm 119:27, 129.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Christ says: “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God.” Here one might ask, What mystery is that? The mysteries of the kingdom of God are the sorts of things which lie hidden in the kingdom of God; as does Christ with all His graces, whom He has shown to us. He who knows Christ aright, knows what God’s kingdom is, and what may be found there. It is called a mystery, because it is secret and hidden from human senses and reason where the Holy Ghost does notreveal it; for although many hear and discern it, yet, notwithstanding, they never conceive nor understand it. They hear of Christ and speak of Christ, that He has given Himself to death for our sins, but those truths are only upon their tongues and in their ears, but not in their hearts, for they neither believe them nor are able to truly comprehend them, as St. Paul says: “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God.” Therefore Christ says: “To you it is given to know,” that is, the Spirit of God gives it to you, so that you not only hear and see it, but you receive it within your hearts and believe it, therefore it is no mystery or secret to you. But to those who have not faith in their heart, though they hear it, to them it remains a mystery.

Father, in us Thy Son reveal;
Teach us to know and do Thy will;
Thy saving power and love display,
And guide us to the realms of day.