Inside: Two people in the Christmas story questioned the angel who visited them. One was chastised; the other was not. Have you ever wondered why? ~
When I hear the Christmas story, I always wonder. Two people in the narrative questioned the angel who visited them. One was chastised; the other was not. Why?
Both were told impossible things. Both had reason to doubt. Their responses to the news they received even seem similar, at least on the surface:
“ ‘How can I know this?’ Zechariah asked the angel. ‘For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.’ ” (Luke 1:18)
“Mary asked the angel, ‘How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?’ ” (Luke 1:34)
Why, then, was Zechariah struck mute until his “well-along-in-years” wife Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist, while the virgin Mary received a gentle explanation about how she would bear God’s Son?
I’ve long been puzzled by this. Aside from the standard “God knew their hearts,” I’ve never been able to figure it out. And maybe that answer is enough.
Another Perspective
This year, though, I thought of something else. Zechariah was an old man. Luke 1:6 describes both him and his wife as “righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord.”
Mary was a teenager, perhaps 15 or 16 years old. When she discovered she was pregnant, she went to stay with her cousin Elizabeth. Maybe that was the best place her parents could think of to get her out of sight—for her sake, or perhaps for theirs.
Either way, she was a teenager. She was God-fearing and probably mature for her years, but she was still young and inexperienced. (I know our modern society is completely different from the Jewish culture of Mary’s day, but how would the 15-year-olds you know have responded in her situation?)
Zechariah, on the other hand, had an entire lifetime of trusting, praying, following and seeking after God under his belt. Could it be he lost his voice because he should have known better than to doubt?
Let’s Frame it This Way
When my girls are struggling, I try to help them. But I also try to remember they are much younger than me, with decades of growth opportunities ahead of them.
I have plenty of growing to do too. But I also have 54 years of working through hard situations, learning to wait, developing patience, watching God answer prayer.
It’s all ongoing, believe me. Even so, I’m further down the path than they are, and I cannot expect them to share or understand my perspective in every situation. My daughters will learn as they grow older, just as I have done and continue to do.
A Plausible Explanation
Maybe this explains why the angel responded so differently to Zechariah and Mary. Zechariah’s age, righteous life and understanding of scripture may have warranted the expectation of immediate acceptance and obedience, while Mary’s youthful innocence required that she receive more detailed information.
This could be discouraging for those of us who are no longer teenagers or young adults. Higher standards are harder to live up to and present more opportunities for failure, after all.
And yet, Zechariah’s story didn’t end in doubt. And maybe that simple fact could bring us comfort today.
Yes, he had to deal with the consequences of his unbelief, but God was gracious to him. Despite his initial reaction, the elderly father-to-be eventually accepted his situation. And in the end, he demonstrated the strength of his faith by naming his child John, just as the angel had instructed him to do.
Hope in Redemption
This chapter of Zechariah’s story is recorded in scripture from start to finish. So instead of fixating on his doubt, let’s find hope in his redemption.
No matter how old we are, it’s never too late to grow, to obey God, to set an example of faithfulness for those who are coming along behind us.
This Christmas season, I hope that encourages your heart as much as it does mine.
♥ Lois
Zechariah had an entire lifetime of trusting, praying, following and seeking after God under his belt. Could it be he lost his voice because he should have known better than to doubt? Share on X Zechariah’s story didn’t end in doubt. And maybe that simple fact could bring us comfort today. Share on XP.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.
20 comments
I hadn’t thought of these stories in that way, Lois; good insights! Because, yes, we do often give more grace to the “kids” because they are still much newer to life than we are, and haven’t been through all the experiences we have.
Hope you’re doing well, friend!
Good to hear from you, Lisa! I’m smiling about “the kids” … doesn’t seem like that long ago that we were in that category, right? (And yet, it was!)
You have raised an interesting question and I have enjoyed your insights. Another thought is that the Angel Gabriel appeared after little was happening in Israel for 400 years. Perhaps Zechariah was weary and stunned by the angel’s appearance. He could have wondered why Elizabeth would bear a child in her old age. Why now?
So many good questions, Carol. It doesn’t make sense that Zechariah and Elizabeth would have continued praying for a child after she reached menopause. So it doesn’t surprise me that he was taken aback when the angel said their prayer had been heard and she was going to have a baby now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts this week!
I’m pondering a similar question, but only looking at Zechariah this year. I’ve pondered long the comparison of Mary and Zechariah.
This year though I’m studying on the power, authority and responsibility of the angel, Gabriel. I’m curious if Zechariah’s fear and doubt needed the silenced so that God’s good plan wound fulfilled in his wife Elizabeth and through their son, John.
Great post!
Thank you for sharing your ponderings.
I’m intrigued by your study of Gabriel, Lisa. And your ponderings about what it took for God’s plan to be fulfilled. Sounds reasonable to think that Zechariah needed to be fully on board … I guess it just took some time for that to happen!
These are good insights, Lois! It’s interesting to compare Zechariah’s story and Mary’s. Another point that came to mind is that while Elizabeth giving birth in her old age was unlikely, Zechariah would have known Abraham and Sarah’s story so he would know God had done this kind of thing before. A virgin becoming pregnant was totally unprecedented, so it’s probably understandable that Mary was confused!
Wow, that is a great point, Lesley. Zechariah certainly would have been familiar with Abraham and Sarah’s experience, but Mary’s situation was, as you say, “totally unprecedented!”
That’s a good thought. Not only being older, but having had so many years in the ministry, It seems like Zechariah could have trusted more easily. But his response is a reminder that we haven’t “arrived,” no matter how old or experienced we are in the things of the Lord. Scary! Yet I love the encouragement to focus on his redemption.
You’re right, Barbara … we never “arrive,” at least not this side of heaven. Makes me look forward to our eternal home even more, I think.
You raise some interesting observations, Lois. I read about Zechariah earlier this morning. I have no answers as to why both Mary and Zechariah were handled differently. What hit me this morning was this: Although a priest, who knew the law and commands of God, Zechariah still struggled with doubt. And we do at times as well. We are called a “royal priesthood”. Priesthood does not exempt us from doubt. Doubt ended up muting Zechariah. He could not share what he had experienced verbally. And doubt will do the same to us. It will silence us. We will hold back from sharing the gospel and our testimony. This morning Zechariah reminded me of the precious gift of God’s grace, even when I have doubted. Beautiful post, Lois!
Wow, Joanne … such wonderful observations about doubt. I never thought about it before but you are right … doubt will silence us from sharing what God intends for us to share. And yes, what a blessing God’s grace is!
Such great observations, Lois. Thank you. Is Molly home now for the holidays? Love and blessings of hope and peace for all of your family in this season!
Thank YOU, Trudy. No, Molly isn’t home yet … she’ll be back in a week. Today is her birthday … she turned 20 in Ireland! (I can’t believe it either!) I hope you are well, friend. Love and hugs to you.
I have had the same wondering about the difference in response to questioning that sounds similar to my ears—but of course God sifts motives even more closely than words.
That’s a great way of putting it, Michele.
The dichotomy is perplexing. I find it interesting that Mary is trying to logically figure this out – with cause and effect of her behavior. The angel almost handles her questions in a mentor to an apprentice fashion – with guidance and compassion. Your make a very good point – by the time of Zechariah’s old age, of his knowledge of scripture, being a priest in the temple, He should have “known” that God. Zechariah wasn’t an apprentice – He should have known by then that God parted the red-sea, God saved Moses, – and so many other examples of God taking impossible circumstances and making the impossible happen. I’ve so enjoyed this read – and turning over the possibilities. Grace & Blessings, my friend!
Maryleigh, that’s a great observation about the angel interacting with Mary as if she were an apprentice, while Zechariah most certainly was not one! Thanks so much for contributing your thoughts to the conversation!
What a great post, Lois. I’ve never really thought about the differences between Zechariah and Mary’s questions before. You raise an interesting point.
Thanks, Ashley! I hope you are having a wonderful December so far! 🙂