It's not Steve Earle comparing John Walker Lindh to Jesus, it's John Walker Lindh comparing himself to Jesus. The lyrics are speaking from his point of view, from the way Earle understands it. It's very important to understand the motives and lives of these religious fanatics, and that's all he's trying to do - just understand, not justify or support. Steve Gill is a dumbass... people like him have blind faith in the US as people like John Walker Lindh have blind faith in Allah.