Jesus Son of Abraham

Jesus—Son of Abraham

As a son of Abraham Jesus came under the Mosaic covenant. Therefore, to be a law abiding Jew, He was required to act in a responsible manner as a member of that community and  also do what was      required to fulfill the Law of Moses. For example, there are some Scriptures that teach us that He wore the appropriate clothes. In the episode where a woman needed a healing touch, she decided that if she could reach the hem of His garment she should be cured. The Greek word is ‘kraspedon’ sometimes translated

Modern Prayer Shawl

‘fringe’. The Hebrew equivalent is ‘zizith’.  What is in view here are the fringes woven on to the outer garment that was worn by Jewish men. Four fringes were worn in obedience to the     injunction of the Law in Numbers 15:37–41 and Deuteronomy 22:12. Matthew refers to them in 14:36 and 23:5. The fringe was meant to identify a Jew as a Jew and as a member of the chosen people, no matter where he was; and meant to remind a Jew every time he put on and took off his clothes that he belonged to God and subject to the Law of Moses. Jesus had these fringes on His clothes. We also know that He celebrated the feasts according to the instructions laid down in the Pentateuch. We have record of His visits to Jerusalem for Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Tabernacles. Indeed, Jesus Himself said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matt. 5:17).

Thy will be done

But if Jesus is to be a true ‘son of Abraham’ He has to demonstrate  faith and obedience to the will of God, just as Abraham did. And His obedience must be in answer to a similar call from God. The record shows that as Abraham was sent by God (“lekh-lekha”) so this Son of Abraham was also sent by God. The importance of His commissioning is seen in John 5:30-47 which is too long to quote in this short newsletter but should be read. Furthermore, the importance of the call of Christ is seen in the multiplicity of references, particularly in John’s gospel. For example. “This is the will of the Father who sent Me… ” (John 6:39); and “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44). This is repeated time and again—in John 6:57; 8:16, 18, 29, 42; 10:36; 12:49; 14:24; 17:21, 25; and 20:21. That the disciples understood that Jesus had been on a mission from God was of supreme importance and also a great comfort to the Lord when the cross was imminent. In the Passover chamber on the night before the crucifixion He prayed: “O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me” (John 17:25).

What is the sum of this? That if Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah is to be upheld, He not only had to have the right lineage but also has be a faithful Son of Abraham and do the will of God. This He did. He said, “I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me”. (John 5:30) and, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). That He was successful is evident. In His life He had the confirmation by the three Bat Kohls (a Bat Kohl is a voice from heaven), the essence of which was, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17; cf. 17.5; Mark 1.11; 9.7; Luke 3.22; 9.35; John 12.27,28). And after His death He had the   vindication of the resurrection for it was God who raised Him from the dead.