Jack Bauer = Jesus?

This Dallas Morning News article celebrates the return of 24 tonight (in the US; UK viewers will have to wait a little longer) by drawing some parallels between Jack and Jesus. It's penetrating stuff, e.g. both have long hair and a beard:

[Spoiler alert: don't read on if you haven't seen the conclusion of the fifth season]

What would Jack do? Tune in to '24'
TV: Watch for a miracle as Christ-like parallels continue in premiere
By MARK McGUIRE

As a shackled and guarded Jack Bauer shuffles off a transport plane eight minutes into tonight's season premiere of 24, one word comes to mind: Jesus. That's an observation, not an exclamation.

The counter-terrorist agent, his hair long and beard scraggly, is being released from the custody of Chinese authorities. He is bowed, his back crisscrossed with scars from torture. Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) has not spoken in the nearly two years since he was snatched by Chinese agents (in last season's finale).

Two years: His 40 days in the desert, so to speak.

You get the picture.