What was the relationship between Abraham and Jesus?
Matthew begins the list of Jesus’ ancestors with Abraham, and he calls Jesus “the son of Abraham.” Matthew 1:1-2; Luke 3:34
They are connected in 2 ways:
1. Ancestor of Jesus
What the Bible says
Matthew 1:1
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
John 8:56
Abraham your father rejoiced that he might see my day: he saw it, and was glad.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Did you know?
Jesus said that Abraham rejoiced to see his day. And that before Abraham came to be, he already was. John 8:56-58
2. The promise
God promised Abraham that all the nations would be blessed in him. Saint Paul says that the descendant to whom the promise was made is Christ. Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:16
What the Bible says
Genesis 12:3
I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee, and IN THEE shall all the kindred of the earth be blessed:
Galatians 3:16
To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not, And to his seeds, as of many: but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
What the Church teaches
The promise made to Abraham begins the history of salvation. The descendant in whom all the nations will be blessed is Christ.
Catechism 705; Catechism 706 · Catechism of the Catholic Church