Caffeinated Crunchy Christian Moms

Read: Matthew 1–2

In the first two chapters of Matthew, we see both genealogy and history. We read about Joseph’s difficult decision to stay with Mary and to accept Jesus as his own son. We also see the challenges Jesus and his earthly family faced in His earliest years. These challenges were brough on from the fear and jealousy of the earthly rulers at the time. Mary and Joseph had to lean into God as they raised Jesus, which honestly is what we should all strive to do as parents. Easier said than done at times though.

The genealogy that we read at the beginning of Matthew can start to feel repetitive, but as I’ve mentioned before, no words from God are wasted. Every name matters. As a mother, this stood out to me. Each person listed represents a real story, a real family, and real faithfulness. To think, they did not (all) even realize how God was using them at the time.

The New Testament gives us two accounts of Jesus’ genealogy: one in Matthew 1:1–17 and another in Luke 3:23–38. Matthew begins with Abraham and highlights three sets of fourteen generations, while Luke traces Jesus’ lineage all the way back to Adam. Together, they remind us that Jesus came from a specific promise. Long before Jesus was born, God promised that the Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah and the line of King David.

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” — Genesis 49:10

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” — Jeremiah 23:5–6

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” — Isaiah 11:1

Both Matthew and Luke confirm that Jesus is a descendant of King David and the promised Messiah. See, too, this list of prophecies clearly fulfilled in Jesus Christ, along with supporting references from the Old Testament and New Testament fulfillment taken from Learn Religions.

Joseph’s obedience to God stood out to me. He trusted God with a future he didn’t fully understand, stepping into the role of protector and provider for his family. It reminds me that parenting often requires obedience before clarity and faith before understanding. In some cases we may never understand the happenings here on earth, but I believe we will one day in Heaven.

“…What is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means ‘God with us’).” — Matthew 1:20–23

Reading these chapters reminds me that God is always at work, through families, through obedience, and through seasons that feel uncertain, to bring about His perfect plan.

Discussion Question

As a mother, how do you relate to Mary’s and Joseph’s experience of trusting God with a future they didn’t fully understand?

If you are not a mother or caregiver, in what way can you relate to their experience of trusting God without understanding?

Respond below!

A Note from the Author

Maria Wilcoxon