Here in Jerusalem, Jesus’ name is not an idea but a living memory—spoken in prayers, whispered in grief, and held onto in hope. It is a land that has seen too much war, too much loss, and too many attempts to claim God for one side or another. And so when the name of Jesus is invoked in political speech, especially in ways that distort His life and message, it cannot go unanswered.
In a recent speech, Benjamin Netanyahu referenced Jesus in a way that places Him, implicitly, among figures like Genghis Khan, drawing on reflections associated with Will Durant. The intention may have been to emphasize historical influence. But Jesus cannot be understood through the categories of conquest, power, or domination. To place Him alongside empire builders is not only historically careless—it is a profound theological misrepresentation.