Few things reveal a person’s heart like how they see Jesus. For centuries, His words have shaped lives and nations. Yet today, even His identity is being redefined. Some voices online and in academic circles now argue that Jesus was not Jewish but Palestinian, reshaping history to fit modern narratives. It might sound like a small detail, but it strikes at the very core of who He is and why He came.
When Jesus’ true heritage is blurred, the Gospel itself begins to lose context. His birth, His fulfillment of prophecy and His connection to God’s covenant with Israel are not side notes in Scripture but the foundation of the story of redemption. To change His identity is to change the story.
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In a recent episode of the Curt Landry Podcast, Rabbi Curt Landry unpacked why Jesus’ Jewish identity is not just historically accurate but spiritually essential. He outlined several reasons this truth matters and why it is being challenged so strongly today.
1. History Confirms Jesus Was Jewish, Not Palestinian
The claim that Jesus was Palestinian ignores historical fact. The Roman Emperor Hadrian did not rename the region “Palestine” until 135 A.D., about a hundred years after Jesus’ birth. Bethlehem, His birthplace, was part of Judea, a territory belonging to Israel’s tribes. To call Him Palestinian is to rewrite history and disconnect Him from His own people and covenant.
2. His Identity Fulfills Prophecy
Jesus’ lineage traces back to King David, fulfilling the prophecies of the Messiah in the Hebrew Scriptures. Recognizing His Jewish identity confirms that God’s promises to Israel were real and kept. Without this connection, Christianity loses its roots in God’s covenant faithfulness.
3. Denying His Heritage Fuels Replacement Theology
Many of the modern attempts to redefine Jesus’ background grow out of replacement theology, the belief that the Church has replaced Israel in God’s plan. Landry explained that this teaching undermines Israel’s biblical role and distorts the very nature of Jesus’ mission. When His Jewishness is erased, the Gospel is turned into a cultural idea instead of a covenant reality.
4. Understanding His Identity Brings Unity Not Division
Recognizing Jesus’ Jewish identity does not separate people but unites them. Landry described how his ministry works with Jews, Arabs, Druze and Bedouins across Israel to provide humanitarian aid. God’s love reaches everyone, but His promises remain connected to His chosen people. Honoring that truth allows believers from every background to walk together in humility and faith.
5. God Loves All People but Keeps His Promises
The descendants of Ishmael, the Arab peoples, are blessed, but the covenant God made with Abraham continued through Isaac. This is not about favoritism but faithfulness. God does not break His word. Landry said this truth should deepen respect between Jews and Arabs, reminding believers that God’s love and justice coexist.
6. The Attack on Truth Is Spiritual
The battle over Jesus’ identity is not just political or academic. It is spiritual. Landry noted that people often find it easier to believe a comforting falsehood than a challenging truth. But truth carries power because it exposes lies, heals division and brings freedom. That is why the identity of Jesus has become a target. If His truth is erased, the power of His message weakens in the minds of those who follow Him.
7. Knowing Who He Is Changes How We See Others
When believers see Jesus for who He truly is, the Jewish Messiah who came to redeem all nations, it changes how they see people. Jesus summed up all of Scripture in two commands: love God and love your neighbor. Seeing Him rightly helps us love. Prejudice fades when faith is rooted in truth.
8. The Church Must Stay Grounded in Scripture
False narratives about Jesus’ identity are finding their way into classrooms, seminaries and even some churches. Landry warned that believers must remain anchored in Scripture and historical fact rather than follow cultural trends or political agendas. The Church’s strength depends on its ability to stay rooted in what is true.
9. A Unified Church Reflects a Unified Messiah
Landry concluded by calling for reconciliation among believers. God is creating “one new humanity” made up of Jews and Gentiles walking together as one body in Christ. Remembering that salvation came through Israel keeps the Church humble and grateful. Jesus’ Jewish identity reminds us that God’s plan from the beginning was unity through His Son, not division among His people.
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The Bottom Line
The question of Jesus’ identity is not a matter of labels or politics. It is about truth. Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, descended from King David, fully Jewish and fully divine. To know Him is to understand the God who keeps His promises. His identity is not up for revision, and in a time of confusion, that truth still sets people free.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
