Mary and Zacharias, Encounter with Gabriel

In Luke chapter 1, we read the physician's account of the birth of Jesus and his cousin John. 

In vs. 18, the angel Gabriel visits Zacharias, who was married to Elisabeth, Mary's cousin, to tell him that his prayers have been heard and that his wife Elisabeth is going to bear him a son and he should call his name John. 

Zarcharias replies to the angel Gabriel these words in verse 18 "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years." Gabriel replies, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. And, behold thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season." 

And when he (Zacharias) came out (of the temple) he could not speak. Zacharias was not able to speak until the day his son was born. When asked what his name should be, he wrote John down on paper, and immediately his tongue was loosed and he spoke, and praised God. 

About six months after Zacharias' encounter with Gabriel, Gabriel returns to visit Mary to tell her that she has found favor with God, and that she shall conceive and bring for a son and call his name Jesus. 

Can I pause for a minute and talk about how awesome it is that God chose their names. I have six children, and I believe God gave me each of their names. They were found sometimes in peculiar ways, but from God nonetheless. Each one individual and unique with their own amazing stories. 

After Gabriel spoke this incredible announcement to Mary, she replied to him "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And Gabriel answered her, "The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall over-shadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Then the angel Gabriel goes on to tell Mary that her cousin Elisabeth is already 6 months pregnant. 

Both Zacharias and Mary had a visit from the angel, both were told about miraculous conceptions that would soon take place, both had questions, but only one was rebuked by the angel. Why? After some study, I believe that there are several reasons why Zacharias was rebuked while Mary was blessed, and I believe that today, when we are directed by God about something in our lives we have a choice to respond like Zacharias, and suffer consequences, or like Mary and receive blessings. Let's look at Zacharias' response.

"How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years."

Zacharias responded in doubt about the way, and with whom this miracle would happen. When the angel had already told him that his wife would conceive through him. You see there was already a method in place, but Zacharias doubted the power of God to do what the angel said. His old age and that of his wife was too much of a hurdle for God to overcome. So he was rebuked and struck dumb until the birth of his son.

Now Mary's response:

            "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"

Mary, in contrast, was asking about the process, knowing that it would come to pass. She did not know how God was going to do it, only that He would do what he said. So she asked for specifics. And we know this because the angel Gabriel then gives her specifics about the "how" when he tells her that the Holy Spirit will come upon her, and over-shadow her. That's how she will conceive, not by a man. And then the angel tells her "for with God nothing shall be impossible." Then Mary embraces the plan of God and the angel's words. She has no doubt, only faith.

This is the difference between the two. Faith! Zacharias even though he was given the way in the beginning, still did not believe in God. Whereas Mary, who did not know how, believed God because of who He is.

When God speaks to you, how will you respond. Like Zacharias who couldn't see past his own limitations, or like Mary, who could only see the greatness of her God! The way you respond as you can see has great consequences of cursing or blessing. 

As and ending note, I want to point out that God's will was performed either way. What God said through the angel Gabriel came to pass. When we waver in our faith, we suffer for it, but God's will cannot to be thwarted. What he says, will come to pass. 

I want to believe in God, and what Gabriel said, "for with God nothing is impossible"