Frederick the Wise, well deserved his nickname. He was indeed very wise, in the ways of the world, and ultimately, in the ways of God. He was the territorial ruler of Electoral Saxony, where Wittenberg was, and where Dr. Martin Luther did his work as professor at the university Frederick had started there. He was Martin Luther’s chief protector and defender during the early days of the Lutheran Reformation, and left behind a rich legacy of support for the Reformation. His brother, John the Steadfast, took over after Frederick died, championing the Lutheran cause in Augsburg, and after his death, his son, Frederick the Wise’s nephew, John Frederick the Magnanimous took the reigns and was indeed very magnanimous in his love for and support of the rich Gospel rediscovery that was the Reformation. These three men, heroes of the Faith all, were used by God mightily to support, extend and defend the Lutheran Reformation. From a human point of view, these three men had more to do with the practical success of the Reformation than any other people. Without them, Martin Luther may well simply have been burned at the stake and the Reformation would have smoldered and died away. But through Frederick the Wise, his brother John and his nephew John Frederick, the Reformation flourished and was well established. We thank and praise God for their service on this day. In my opinion, all three men should be honored and commemorated, so there you go.