In A Lesson Before Dying, why do they compare Jefferson to Jesus?

There are several circumstances toward the end of
A Lesson Before Dying that do the most to explain a comparison
between Jefferson and Jesus. One circumstance is that Jefferson is executed on Good
Friday. Good Friday is important because it is the day on which Jesus was executed, or
crucified. This shared day, a holy day, establishes an analogy between Jefferson and
Jesus through the similar details of their deaths. Another circumstance is that Wiggins
connects Jefferson's last days, the time during which Jefferson keeps a journal, with
both teaching and believing. The concept of belief ties Jefferson to Jesus because Jesus
taught belief and embodied belief. A third circumstance is that Wiggins concludes that
Jefferson was the real teacher between the two of them and a true teacher. Jesus is
conventionally referred to as a great teacher or a true teacher. This third analogy
between Jefferson and Jesus deepens the reasons for why Jefferson is compared to
Jesus.