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Luther's Tragic Mistake: Commentary on Parts 18-23 - Page 2

© John L. Hoh, Jr.

In Thursday's installment Luther focused on the gaps of the Davidic dynasty. The argument is made that the Maccabees, of the tribe of Levi, ruled in place of Judah. Luther points out the times of Athaliah, a "queen" who usurped the throne of David and put to death the Davidic princes-all except Joash, a very young infant who was hidden in the temple. Here Luther points out that David's line does not seem eternal. It actually appears very fragile as only the one young child was left. Again, God's grace is at work, just as it was during the Babylonian Captivity.

Finally, Friday's installment features one of those passages we don't hear very often, if at all, yet it appears Luther had some debates with Jewish people on this very passage. Unfortunately, Luther seethes hatred in this section, even resorting to the age-old charge that the Jews are greedy and money-loving. It has become evident by now that Luther is writing to Christians and not trying to convince the Jews of his position. His hateful words in this section appall even Christians.

Take out the hateful words. Focus instead on the commentary on the text. Granted, you will have boiled this section down to a paragraph, but in those few words you get some insight that is better than seething hatred. Again, semantics come into play. Luther is told that Haggai's temple was more splendid than Solomon's because it stood ten years longer. Luther makes a valid point: If Solomon owned a donkey older than him, is the donkey greater than Solomon?

It is evident that many have hated the Jews for centuries. The accusation of "Christ-killer" has been used over the ages in the Current Era to consign those of the Jewish faith to scorn, ridicule, pogroms, persecution, Holocausts, ethnic cleansing and the like. But is this a way to share the Gospel message which they themselves were first to bear? Luther himself should know that you don't win people with hurtful words and angered demonstrations. It was he, himself, that urged readers in "That Jesus Christ was Born a Jew" that Christians should be gracious, hospitable, and patient with God's chosen people.

As one who was condemned as a heretic, subject to death at the hands of any bounty hunter seeking a reward, Luther should have know that taking vengeance on God's behalf was not the answer.

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