Luke chapter 1 is all about prophecy, our responses to it, and the fulfillment of it.These prophecies about John and Jesus are the first in a long line of silence to the prophetic word to the Jewish nation (about 400 years of silence). As we read through this chapter we should consider our own responses to the prophetic word of God. We are given two major examples throughout chapter 1.
Zechariah, while advanced in years and married to a barren wife, is given the prophecy about the birth of a son. Not just any son though, his son, who would be named John. It is very likely that Zechariah and Elizabeth had been praying for a child for many years. And in God’s timing, that prayer was finally going to be answered. This child would bring joy and gladness to his parents but he would be a blessing to many. John’s task was to gather a company of believers that would be ready to receive the Messiah.
What is interesting though is to see the progression of Zacharias. At first, he had doubts. And because of this he would lose the power of speech until the child was born. For us, whenever we entertain doubts concerning God’s word, we lose our testimony. That’s what happened to Zacharias. His unbelief sealed his lips and he remained that way until he was able to burst forth in praise as a witness to the good works of God.
Mary on the other hand had questions of wonder, instead of doubt. While Zacharias knows how his wife would conceive, he doubts that his wife could in fact get pregnant, even though she is advanced in years. One questions IF God can do such a thing, the other questions HOW will God accomplish it.
Mary’s question around the “how” this could happen was met with an answer. This would be the miracle of the virgin birth, which was prophesied in Isaiah 7:14. God will use His Holy Spirit to overshadow her. This would mean that Mary’s son would be God in the flesh. While this is a mystery to us it is one, like Mary, we need to respond with in faith.
One side note on the angels visit to Mary. The angel did not worship Mary or pray to her. He simply greeted her. He also did not say that she was “full of grace,” but that she was highly favored. Sometimes this experience can trip up believers to attribute certain “special” characteristics to Mary. But when we look at the song of Mary, she consistently turns our hearts to the Lord. Mary has the correct attitude about her position with the Lord. She is not the one who will confer blessings but one who would be blessed through this expierence.
Mary also meekly submits to the authority of the Lord by calling Him “God my Savior.” This disproves the idea that Mary was sinless. She praises the Lord and magnifies His faithfulness to Israel. All based on the fact that through the Lord is keeping the promises He made to Abraham and to his seed.
Let us have the attitude of Mary when responding to the Word of God. Not with questioning in doubt, but with wonder and awe. Parsing Him through all of the troubles of life.
