Examining the Biblical Evidence around the True Identity of Jesus

Pro-Hamas protests have taken place this weekend across Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States to disrupt Christmas.

The rise in antisemitism since Hamas murdered 1200 Israelis, wounded 5300, and kidnapped 240 during the terror attack on October 7th — has been astounding.

On Saturday, protestors in Toronto chanted, “Long live the Intifada” and “There is only one solution” — in clear reference to Hitler’s “Final Solution”.

Driving through Toronto this afternoon, we passed multiple overpasses with supporters of Hamas — waving flags and holding banners.

These protestors aim to “cancel” the festive season — posting on Twitter (X) under the theme of “No Xmas As Usual”. Last week, protestors disrupted shoppers at Yorkdale Mall — and harassed a young couple with a stroller.

This coincides with the time of year, when Christians gather to celebrate Christmas — when they believe that the birth of Jesus occurred.

There has been a growing movement in recent years to change the identity of Jesus, from Jewish to a “Palestinian”.

Illustrated by this excerpt from the Jerusalem Post 2017 – “Activist Linda Sarsour asserted that “Jesus was Palestinian of Nazareth” over the weekend, claiming that he “is described in the Quran as being brown-copper skinned with woolly hair.””

 

Let’s examine what the Bible has to say about the identity of Christ:

Christ had a lineage which can be traced back to Abraham, and is of the Royal Line of Judah (Matt 1:1)

“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matt 1:1)

He was born in Bethlehem of Judah (Matt 2:6)

“And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” (Matt 2:6)

He went up to the Temple in Jerusalem for Passover (Luke 2:41)

“Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.” (Luke 2:41)

He taught in the synagogues (Mark 1:21)

“And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.” (Mark 1:21)

He read out of and quoted the Jewish Scriptures on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16-20)

“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.” (Luke 4:16-20)

He was addressed as Rabbi (John 1:38, 1:49, 3:2)

“Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?” (John 1:38)

He wore the traditional Tzitzit (Matt 23:5, Matt 9:20, Matt 14:34-36, Num 15:38)

“And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:” (Matt 9:20)

The word is also used in Matt 23:5, to refer to the border of the garments of the Pharisees.

Thayers points out that although this is classical greek word, in the Hebrew it is translated to “Tzitzit”.

This was the practice that was established by God in the Law of Moses, and is still observed as a part of Jewish practice.

He celebrated the Passover with his Disciples

“And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.” (Matt 26:18-19)

Christ came to the Temple during Hanukkah

“And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.” (John 10:22-23) The feast of dedication is what we would recognize as Hanukkah. Which incidentally occurred in the winter months, just a couple of weeks ago.

The weight of scripture proves the Jewishness of Christ — it’s logically impossible to ignore his lineage, where he was born, the scriptures he loved, the way he dressed, where he taught, the people he interacted with, the temple he worshipped at, and the feasts he celebrated.

When he was crucified, they put above his cross the words: “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS”.

Christians around the world gather to celebrate of a man, whose message they ignore, whose identity they increasingly deny, and whose people they hate.

We look to the day when he will return to restore the Kingdom of God to Israel, and rebuild the temple — “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.” (Zech 8:23)

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