By Pastor Doug Cox

In the first chapter of the gospel of Luke we find the story of two important Jewish people. Both play important parts in the long-awaited arrival of Israel’s promised Savior. There is Zachariah an elderly Jewish high priest. The other is a teenage virgin named Mary. Both were visited by the angel Gabriel and told they were going to have a new addition to their families. Both were told they were going to have a baby and both Zachariah and Mary questioned how this could be. It seems on the surface that both had legitimate reason to question this announcement.

In Zachariah’s encounter with the angel, the angel told him not to be afraid, that Elizabeth was going to have a son that would bring joy and gladness. He was told he would be great and pure in the sight of the Lord and that he would turn many in the nation to the Lord their God and that he would be powerful like Elijah and full of wisdom. In response to all of this, Zachariah doubted and said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” (Luke 1:18 NKJV)

It’s obvious that Zachariah’s response didn’t set well with Gabriel who replied, “… I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” (Luke 1:19-20 NKJV)

Mary’s story goes like this. “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women! But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her. Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’” (Luke 1:26-34)

Interestingly, Gabriel didn’t chasten her for her unbelief but instead told her how it would happen. “And the angel answered and said to her, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35-36) Gabriel went on to say how Elizabeth, Zachariah’s wife was no longer barren, but instead six months along in her miraculous pregnancy. Gabriel also reminded her that “nothing is impossible with God.” (verse 37)

36 “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 “For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:35-37 NKJV)

Mary’s response is inspiring. It is an example to us on how we should respond to the promises God makes to us. She said, “… Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38 NKJV) That means let the word change me, let the word direct me, let the word fill me and so on.

In essence Mary’s response was to trust in the word even though it didn’t align with the natural way of things, that a woman who hasn’t been with a man intimately, can’t get pregnant. But because the angel gave God’s word that she would be an exception, she believed.

Zachariah must have forgotten about the father of their faith, a man named Abraham. Abraham and Sarah were past the age of having children when they conceived Isaac. As a priest, Zachariah should have remembered that but instead seemed to be focused on the mechanics of burning incense.

Could that be the reason Gabriel made Zachariah mute? All we can do is speculate. However, if it is the case, it is a nudge in our direction that the Lord wants us do more than go through the motions of worship. He wants us to keep our faith alive, stay in His Word, remember and do what it says.