On what a remarkable journey the Gospel of Luke takes the reader. For before even our Saviour is born into this world, we learn fantastic truths. To both Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, the angel Gabriel appeared in all his glory, sharing destiny-altering messages direct from God above. Zacharias was promised that his wife would bear their first and only child in her old age. Mary was promised that she herself would bear the Saviour of this world. The initial responses of both however, were tainted with doubt, rather than humble acceptance. Questioning and wary, both were hesitant to believe what the angel shared. The first exclaimed – Luke 1 v 18 – “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” Mary cried out – Luke 1 v 34 – “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” When comparing the way that Gabriel reacts to such questions and misgivings, we find an interesting distinction, one that can be most instructive in our own walk with the Lord.

MARY AND THE MUTE

Poor Zacharias. His doubting heart caused him to be struck with muteness until the day of the birth of his son. Frustrated by his unbelief, heaven ordained that not another faithless word would echo from his mouth until the fulfilment of the promise. In stark contrast, a mystified Mary enjoyed a gentler hand. Gabriel answers her “how can this be” with a more detailed explanation of her assignment. In addition, he includes a friendly mention of her relative, Elizabeth, being likewise the recipient of a miraculous pregnancy, encouraging Mary with the thought of a loving support structure. Lastly, he throws in a “For with God nothing will be impossible” to entirely extinguish any misgivings. Mary capitulates. “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” Thus, the angel departs, and Mary is left rejoicing. And so, we ask the question, why? Why would an impartial God treat two bible characters – a mere few verses apart – in such a partial manner? And, what can we learn from such? I believe that the difference in treatment is founded in the type of miracle that each character was told to expect.

THE PRECEDENT

Zacharias was told that his wife, Elizabeth, would bear him a son. Interestedly enough, the angel makes no mention of the age of Elizabeth. It is Zacharias who raises this issue in verse 18. In summary, a man is promised that his wife will bear him a child in their old age. Now, where have we heard this story before? Ah yes. Abraham and Sarah. Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, the prototype of the faith walk, beloved father of the Jewish nation, was promised in Genesis 15 that his descendants would be as abundant in number as the stars. In chapter 17 he conversed with God regarding the issue of Sarah being ninety years old and still, not having born a child. “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old?” he protested. “And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” Nevertheless, in Genesis chapter 21, Sarah conceives. "And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to Him.”

What similarities we see between the situations of Abraham and Sarah, and that of Zacharias and Elizabeth. Both elderly couples, both without children, both being promised that they would be blessed with a son in their old age. In the case of Abraham, his doubting moments were tolerated with amazing patience. Without any precedent in this arena of the ability and graciousness of God, Abraham had no forerunner to pave the way of faith. Zacharias on the other hand, had a forerunner to look back on and be inspired. He had the story of Abraham and Sarah, a story strikingly similar to his own, in which God took an aged, barren womb and produced great fruit. He would have been most familiar with the story, even more so than the Israeli layman, as Zacharias was a priest, his familiarity with the Scriptures being a necessary tool to correctly execute his office. Not merely the commandments, but also the miracles and ways God had intervened for His people were surely always on the tip of His tongue and forefront of His mind. It was his duty and ordained privilege to lead and guide the people in the ways of their God, to cultivate faith when such was lacking, to inspire confidence when doubt crept in. Still, however, Zacharias doubted. Consequently, heaven was disappointed, and Zacharias was in need of a little tough love. In stark contrast, Mary had no precedent for the miracle of the virgin birth. Such would be the first and only time in history that this glorious phenomenon would ever occur. Gabriel is patient with her, easing her into the idea. He quietens her misgivings, nudges her in the right direction and hushes her fears.

YES HE CAN

And so, how does this apply to us? So often in our lives, we doubt God. In fact, in most instances, we have previously encountered a similar situation, in which God has indeed come to our aid, whether this was in our finances, relationships, personal wellbeing, career or elsewhere. However, even though God has rescued us before from whatever familiar pit we find ourselves in once more, still we doubt His ability to do so. If not in our own immediate experience, we are surrounded with a constant flood of testimonies, fellow Christians who bear witness of the miracle-working power of an Almighty God. Yet, just like Zacharias, we forget the story of Abraham, Sarah and countless others. We cry out with doubt, tremble with fear, and mock the track record of heaven. May we strive not to be like Zacharias. Let us always look back along the journey of our lives and see those many instances where the Lord delivered both us and others. Let us take strength from these sweet remembrances and declare to the world – and to ourselves – that yes indeed, God can do it again!