Robert D. Pace
“Jesus was a Palestinian!” That’s now the official pronouncement of the Palestinian Authority. In an unprecedented statement from the ranks of Islam the Sharia Judge Mahmoud Al-Habbash asserted:
“Christmas is also a Palestinian holiday, because Jesus, peace be upon him, was Palestinian. He was born in Palestine; lived and was sent [as prophet] to Palestine. Therefore, Christmas has a special Palestinian flavor.” (12/22/14)
Not to stand alone in his comments, the Ramallah Governor, Laila Ghannam, appeared on Palestinian Authority Television Network saying:
Jesus the Messiah is Palestinian, and we are Palestinians and will continue to hold our heads high. (12/7/14.)
Then, Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestinian Authority, was quoted by Wafa News as saying:
“We celebrate the birth of Jesus, a Palestinian messenger of love, justice and peace.” (12/22/14).
It is unclear what the Palestinians gain by disputing Biblical records of Christ’s genealogy (the assumptions are numerous) but the world seems ready to accept yet another revision of history. I am certain our God of love and grace is grieved as He watches Palestinians leaders make fraudulent assertions. God knows well that none is improved, regardless of race, when one dares to dispute Scripture. And it is especially dangerous to impugn the bloodline of the Christ! It is the Messiah’s genealogy that descends through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and continues through David that affirms Jesus is “King of the Jews.”
As Christians we must understand that a Palestinian Jesus is a dangerous deception not just to the world but to the Palestinians themselves. Jesus made it clear when He said of Himself, “Salvation is from the Jews” (John 4:22). Let us pray that eyes will be open and God turns the hearts of all in the Middle East to Christ’s saving grace.