That Abraham is a seminal (literally) figure in Scripture is without question. He is the physical ancestor of both Jews (through Isaac) and Arabs (through Ishmael). But the Bible does not point to Abraham himself as the one who would be the focus of mankind’s relationship to God, but rather One who would come after him.

   God gave Abraham the great promise, “All the nations will be blessed in you” (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8f). We see that it is through Abraham that the promise would be fulfilled, but not in Abraham Himself. Paul tells us that it was through this “seed”—Jesus—that this was fulfilled (Galatians 3:16).

   Jesus Himself, in an argument with the Jews of His time, stated, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad” (John 8:56). Jesus was not only the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise, He was also its precursor as divinity: “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). Abraham as a prophet had been allowed by God to understand the fulfillment of God’s promise to Him through Jesus. Abraham rejoiced at it.

   Is this simply the Christian exclusivism that the TIME article so deplores? Well, yes and no. Jesus came as the fulfillment of all the Jews had looked for, the Messiah (Matthew 5:17). And He declared Himself as “the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). But as “exclusive” as this seems, it is in fact the greatest act of inclusion the world has ever known. Jesus came to die for all, not just one people or tribe. Paul tells us that peace and an end to hostility are found through Jesus the Christ: “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups (i.e., Jews and Gentiles) into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall” (Ephesians 2:13-14). It is in the Person of Christ—the Prince of Peace—that peace can be found with God, and based upon that, with one another. But it is only through Jesus, the Seed of Abraham, that it can be accomplished.

   Jesus is the Messiah the Jews looked for. Muslims acknowledge Jesus as a great prophet. But if He is a great prophet then the things He claimed must be true. And Jesus claimed that He was the Way—there is no need for latter day revelations through Mohammed or others. Thankfully the peace and salvation that Jesus brings is not limited to Jews or Muslims who would accept Him, but is open to all. The unifying figure TIME magazine sought does exist, but not in Abraham, in Jesus. Paul says, “Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are the sons of Abraham….[I]n Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:7, 14).