A Net in Time

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Devotional

Jesus Is born

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So my study in Unexplainable Jesus takes me to Luke 2:1-15 but that seems to cut off in a rather odd spot, so I figured I’d break it down just a bit more.  Today we’ll look at Luke 2:1-7.  This section gives Luke’s account of the fact that Jesus is born. 

Luke 2:1-7

 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Jesus is born. Text from Luke 2:1-7

Jesus is Born: the Players

People mentioned in these five verses are 

  1. Caesar Augustus (v.1)
  2. Quirinius, the governor of Syria (v.2)
  3. Joseph, betrothed of Mary, her husband, Jesus’s dad, but not his biological daddy (v.4)
  4. Mary, the wife of Joseph, mother of Jesus (v.5)
  5. Jesus, God’s son born of a human momma. (v.7)

Caesar Augustus was the Roman Emperor.  He changed things up in the Empire, changing it from a republic into a dictatorship, bringing back the census, ending the war, and being labeled at “the Saviour of the World.”  He made changes that led to Jesus being born where he was supposed to.

Quirnius.  Obviously he was the governor of Syria. Due to the way folks translate the Greek in the New Testament we are told he was the governor of Syria, but the actual Greek says only the he was governing in Syria.  He wasn’t actually appointed until after Jesus was born.  Nevertheless he still oversaw this census for Caesar Augustus.  Quirnius was a highly regarded military leader. 

Joseph.  This Jewish man was betrothed to Mary when she became pregnant with God’s son.  He became Jesus’ earthly father.  Joseph was from the house and lineage of David. A man of faith, he was known as a Just man. Matt.1:19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 

Mary.  We don’t know a whole lot about her either.  She was probably between 14-16 years old when the Spirit of God overshadowed her.   She was Jewish, likely born in Nazareth, and she has an aunt and uncle named Elizabeth and Zechariah. 

Jesus, God’s son.  Raised by human parents.  Fully God, fully human.   A boy who would grow up in the favour and sight of God and man. 

jesus christ figurine
Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Pexels.com

What Else Can we Learn?

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

We know that God worked things out so that scripture could be fulfilled.  God’s son was to be born in Bethlehem, out of David’s line.  And the census caused Mary and Joseph to have to go to Bethlehem in order to be registered properly. 

 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

While there Mary gave birth to Jesus. No inn, no fancy place to stay.  Just a lowly couple, bedded down with the critters, having a baby, and a safe place (a manger) to lay her child in.  This is how our Saviour came into this world.

Follow along in this series.

I’ve been using The Unexplainable Jesus study as a background to my devotional time.  

Nurture

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this short little acrostic occurred to me as I pondered the word Nurture. 

naturally
unnoticed
raised up while
tending to
unruly
replications
encourages

nurture (text) image of small green plant held in two hands

Have you ever taken the time to notice how people nurture their underlings differently?  Whether it be parents or managers?   Some do it well and others struggle in the task.  Therefore one wonders if that is the result of the nurturing they received.  Sometimes folk don’t even see the nurturing they receive, particularly if it is well-done.  

Intentionality needs to be part of it yes?

Like for instance hubby and I are currently in a membership class.  The church is intentionally fostering a need/desire for people to become members.  Why?

To help build up the body of Christ in a manner that demands some accountability.  One can be a bench warmer or one can fulfill their duties as a believer.  Part of that starts with being an active member in a body of believers. 

This week we are talking about the creation of new believers, and then the development of faithful disciples.  One begets the other, which in turn should beget more, and so the body of believers is continually built up.    

The church often fails in this, and so this particular church is seeking to actively change that.  To change the mindset of global mission to more local mission and meeting people HERE.  Encouraging faith in a society that discourages faith in God and promotes it in food, entertainment, and frivolity.  Building faith in God in a community that doesn’t see the need because they are so distracted by everything else.

That’s my five minutes…. 

Time sometimes goes too fast and I don’t feel like I’m done talking…. so let’s see how quickly I can write just a bit more.  🙂

Nurture

Nurture isn’t just external
There is an inward part.
Particularly when it comes
to sharing one’s own heart.

To see the church of God built
up means connecting more your own
to the creator God’s throne.

Seeing his majesty.
Working hard to reflect it.
So that those around you
are inspired to
ask questions and find
answers to their own
questing hearts.
AND THEN
the church can be built.

Make your life of faith
ones the begs questions from
others. One that God’s mercy
and grace shines out of
even if under a glass dimly.

Zechariah Prophesies

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Elizabeth and Zechariah have a baby boy named John! ‘ You see on “the eighth day they came to circumcise the child”.  That’s when babies get their official names and all.   We talked about his naming recently if you recall.  🙂   Today we get to learn more about the prophecy that Zechariah spoke once it was confirmed the his son’s name was John. 

Luke 1:67-80

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for he has visited and redeemed his people
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 that we should be saved from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers
    and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74     that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
75     in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
    whereby the sunrise shall visit us[h] from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Zechariah Prophesies - Luke 1

Zechariah Prophesies

Let’s see if we can’t unpack all that Zechariah said once he did what God wanted him to.  His boy is named John (despite it not being a family name) and his muteness unstopped. 

Here he is, filled with the Holy Spirit.

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

He speaks to God’s action, God’s fulfilling of prophecy.  God promised a long time ago to bring salvation from the line of David. 

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,

Salvation Promised

The purpose of this salvation is to save his people from their enemies.   Saved from the hand of all who hate those who are called of God.  So here’s my question.  Is this just another way of saying the same thing but slightly differently, or are our enemies not always those who hate us?  Do some just hate us for the sake of hating anything that is called of God?  I took that question to the Matthew Henry Commentary where he says “it is a salvation from sin, and the dominion of Satan over us, both by corruptions within and temptations without.”

71 that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;

To show mercy promised, to remember his covenant with them, and to keep his promises to Abraham.
72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

Why?  So that we can serve him with no fear, and in holiness and righteousness all our days. 
74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

John a Way-Maker

And this his son, will go before the one, before the Lord, to prepare people for him.   John is a way maker for the Most High.  Preparing people to hear the message the Jesus brings.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

John Grew Up

And so John did what all children should do.  He grew up!  He became strong in spirit. Part of me wonders what exactly this means. Does it mean that he became closer to God, filled with the Holy Spirit and growing awareness of God’s call upon his life? 

The wilderness became his home until it was time for him to do his job.  Would it have been necessary for John to grow up in the wilderness?  Would it help to centre him better to not be distracted by other people, events, or the busyness of town life?  Did it mean that Zechariah and Elizabeth had to give up their lives as temple priest and town dwellers?   Or was the wilderness just his home once he was grown enough to move from his parents home? 

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

John the Baptist is Born

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It’s funny, I keep thinking of how Elizabeth’s baby leapt in the womb when Mary came in.  How amazing it was to really catch his excitement.  And today we get to see who that baby is to be.  John the Baptist is born as seen in Luke 1: 57-66.  Sorta following along with Unexplainable Jesus bible study.

Luke 1:57-66 

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 

63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

image of baby. Text: John the Baptist is born

John the Baptist is born

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 

We already knew that Elizabeth was going to have a boy.  The angel had told Zechariah this right?  So this starting line is SO not a surprise eh?  But what would they call him?!?!   It should be Zechariah after his dad right?   So let’s go forward with that eh?  But then his momma steps in and days NO!  That’s not his name!! 

58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.”

They Argued

This is the part that I think is so odd.  Her neighbours and relatives argued with her!  It’s like why would you argue with a parent about what they call their child?  Their reasoning?  None of their relatives have that name, so why would you use that?  It made no sense to them.  Defying tradition and all that. 

Admittedly that would be hard to do at times right?   I watch this lady on YouTube that helps people learn how to express and hold to a boundary WHILE understanding why you might get pushback.  Some of the stories she tells I find hard to hear.  I can’t really understand vitriol people spew at those who should be loved ones.  For instance a MIL who gets cut off from one part of her family because she wildly upset that a grandchild wasn’t named after her.  And then treats DIL badly because of it. Son steps in and says “Mom, enough, you can’t do this, you won’t stop.  So done with it all.”. 

61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 

So, since they lived in a patriarchal family, they asked Zechariah what the babes name should be.  He confirmed it was to be John. 

62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.”

Zechariah’s Obedience

Zechariah did what he was supposed to.  His silence, the consequence of his actions earlier, was finally broken.  And I bet all the neighbours and relatives had even more questions.  More wonder!   And Zechariah praising God after all that had happened.  

I so love that eh?   That Zechariah endured the whole of Elizabeth’s pregnancy in silence.  Unable to talk.  Being reminded everyday to keep firm to his faith in God.  And in the end, he praises God.  We so need to do that eh?  After discipline, to be grateful and able to praise God above.

And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.

And yes, the neighbours and relatives had a reaction.  They were afraid.  They talked so much about what had happened and wondered what would become of John. 

I’d have done the same.  After seeing Zechariah become mute, affirm John’s name, and then immediately become unmute! It’s a wow and how can it be situation and would certainly have my brain and emotions whirling.  Doesn’t it do the same for you? 

God Made a Path

 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

This isn’t just a vague story.  This is actual history.  A story of God at work in the lives of his people. It should send us all into a time of praising God.  John’s story is part of the fabric of our faith history.  We need to see the wonder and the fear in it.  God’s spread the news of John.  He prepared the way for this man to speak of his Son, to prepare the way for the Lord.  Rather awesome eh? 

Follow Along

I’ve been using The Unexplainable Jesus study as a background to my devotional time.  

Mary Sings a Song

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Today we get to see Mary and her joy.  Mary sings a song showcasing her trust in the Lord God and how she sees him.  It’s a lovely picture that we find in Luke 1:46-56.   Let’s take a look at how Mary sees the God that we love and serve eh?  A continuing look through Unexplainable Jesus. 

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

text: Mary Sings A Song image: mary, mother of Jesus depiction

Mary Sings a Song

Now remember how the baby leapt for joy while yet in the womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit?  This is Mary’s response to Elizabeth calling her blessed among women because of her faith.

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

Oh, such a statement eh?  “My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”.   Such a deep statement you know?   To have that joy in the Lord.  I watch my MIL and my own Mom as they are aging, and their steadfast love of God.  When I read these words of Mary, it is their faces I see, their joy in the Lord that is so evident.  They bring these words to vivid life. 

48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

Mary sees it you know?  She knows who and what she is.  A girl from a simple family.  Humble in estate.  And yet, God chose her.  God looked upon her and said “this girl will have my boy”. The end result is people know of her.  Her name is revered in the Roman Catholic church.  Everyone knows who gave birth to Jesus and who helped raise him up.  Mary is well-thought of the world over. 

49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.

Mary gives all the glory to God.  It is his might who does great things for her.  She sees his holiness.  

I have to stop here for a moment.  I often see God’s hand in my life.  But I rarely pause to consider God’s holiness in the matter.  I see his mercy and his care, I just rarely think of his holiness overarching it all. I should you know? God’s holiness is a foundational part of him.  

Mary Continues her praise

50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.

I wonder if Mary saw, in this moment, how God moved through the life of her extended family.  How his mercy was pivotal in the lives of her people who feared him.  Not in a scared way (though maybe that’s a part) but in a reverential, God is holy, way. 

51 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.

Mary goes on to show God’s holiness in a variety of ways.  His strength, His scattering of the proud, how God brings down the mighty and then lifts up the humble.  God is the one who feeds the hungry with good things, and send away the rich empty.  The humble, weak, and hungry need not fear the Holy God. 

I do wonder sometimes about the use of the words rich and mighty though.  Can one be rich pr mighty and still hungry or humble?  Does one condition supersede the other? Can a mighty person still hunger and thirst for more, and seek not for recognition?  We need to remember that for all of God’s holiness he is still our God, our Father, and he cares for us like a parent does a child. So it’s the hungry God feeds. It’s the humble that he exalts.  The proud and focused on wealth folk he corrects. 

God as Father

We really see this in the rest of Mary’s song. 

54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

 According to The Working Preacher the word servant comes from the Greek Pais, which can also be translated child. So where it says He has helped his servant Israel, it is actually saying he has helped his child Israel. God helps his children.  Why?  Because he remembers his mercy to their ancestors.  He remembers his promise to Abraham and his offspring for all time.  Mary saw God’s mercy as she saw his holiness.  Both are clear as can be for this young lady. And she knows how blessed she is by the one she can call Father. 

Read the Passage Carefully

Oh, have you ever read and reread a passage with a thought in your brain and then you read it again?   Mary (and I KNOW THIS) didn’t stay with Elizabeth til her baby was born. I should not have been surprised to read that should I?  She only stayed for three months.  Three months of solace away. Not a total refuge, but a break from the stares and whisperings.  Another way for God to show care eh? 

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Follow Along

I’ve been using The Unexplainable Jesus study as a background to my devotional time.  

Jesus is Coming!

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Today’s passage is from Luke 1.  I’ve called this devotional Jesus is Coming!  And yeah, I know, the timing isn’t great because Christmas is just past.  A season where we most celebrate the coming of our Lord into the world. Do we still have that excitement?  Would we, if just a babe in the womb, leap for joy at the news?  Jesus is coming!!! 

Luke 1:39-45

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Jesus is coming Luke 1:39-45

Jesus is Coming!

So Mary is pregnant right?  At least I would assume she was at this point because “she went with haste into the hill country“. Kinda sounds like a euphemism for something doesn’t it?   It wasn’t done back in the day for young women to get pregnant without the benefit of marriage.  People would talk.  It would be a shame to the family. So here, let’s pack you off to spend time with distant family. 

Who did she go visit?  None other than Zechariah and Elizabeth! 

And get this excitement level.  Mary comes into the house and Elizabeth’s baby leaps for joy in her womb.  I can just imagine the oomph from Elizabeth her baby’s antics. But her baby leapt for joy just from being in the presence of Jesus.  All Mary did was walk in the door.

How many of us have lost that joy?  That immediacy of deep satisfaction/love/inner peace when we are in God’s presence? Is going to church a joy?  Is opening up your bible a joy?  Do you long to just be with him?  I know I struggle with this.  Working actively to fix it, to notice that small things of God that make my heart smile.  Also to make meaningful connections between God’s word and the world that I live.  It isn’t always an easy road walking.   But oh, seeing the joy that John had while YET IN THE WOMB of the close presence of his Lord and Saviour… that is so inspiring isn’t it? 

But Elizabeth..

John leapt for joy but Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. When she saw Mary she cried out “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Do you see it?  Do you see how the Holy Spirit helped Elizabeth to understand what was going on with Mary?  How she could see the blessing that was upon her (Mary)?!?!  She knew that Mary was going to have God’s child.  The knowledge was given to her that this child would be her Lord. 

She added this though “blessed is she who believed“.   Mary wasn’t forced to believe.  She chose to believe.  For her belief she is blessed.  Believing that God will have a child through her.  Her belief, it’s a great thing indeed.  And Elizabeth saw it. 

Think about it

Isn’t that neat?  Like seriously, just think about it for a bit.  

This young relative comes to you “in all haste” and you know that can’t be good.  But when she arrives you just KNOW.  The Holy Spirit abundantly lets you know who the child is that she is bearing.  And it’s good.  It’s beyond good.  You know what a blessing this is.  Her belief and the situation that Mary is in.  It’s a good thing, not shameful or horrible, but good. 

I’m betting that Mary had a good stay with Elizabeth and Zechariah. You see, the Holy Spirit let Elizabeth know what a good thing is was, how blessed Mary was for her believing.  Isn’t it fantastic?  

God worked it all out eh?

From choosing who would bear his child. The child who would foretell his boy when he grew up. That child recognizing who his Saviour was while yet a babe in the womb.  The Holy Spirit moving in Elizabeth’s heart.   God made it all work together perfectly. 

All the little pieces of the puzzle fit together making it all work out for our good.  A good working eh?

Follow along with Studies from Unexplainable Jesus

Come along with me as we continue to go through the study Unexplainable Jesus. 

 

Questions have consequences

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Continuing on in my study of the Unexplainable Jesus.  Working through chapter one of Unexplainable Beginnings, working through day three today.  Day one and two had me considering new things, so I’m thinking the same will continue.  I was struck with how Zechariah’s and Mary’s questions have consequences.   Join me won’t you?  Maybe you will see something that I have missed! 

questions have consequences

Questions lead to consequences

Day Three: Luke 1:18-38

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

So Zechariah, who knows that it’s an angel standing before him, giving him news that God directed him to give.  And he questions him!!!   I can totally understand this.  You tell me something that is momentous and I’d have questions!  Especially if it seemed like there were real obstacles in the way… in this particular instance Zechariah and Elizabeth were both old.  They weren’t exactly in their child-bearing years!  And yet, Gabriel reassures him… this will happen.  But then lays out the consequence of this unbelief… no talking until the baby is born. 

Can you imagine how hard that would be?  How humbling it would be for Zechariah and how it some ways it might be enlightening?  Enlightening as it would show how, in the surprise of the moment, his trust in God faltered and became questions of doubt. 

Luke 1:26-36

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.</span>

But on the flipside we see another pending birth announcement.   The angel came to see Mary, told her not to be scared, and that she was going to have a baby.  He gave her information about her son-to-be.  Mary’s response was “how will this be, since I am a virgin.  The angel didn’t call her on that question, not seeing it as a cause of doubt, but one of curiousity.  And so, it seems to me taht’s what it was since she readily accepted his explanation and stated her availability to be used of God as he saw fit. 

woman statue near cross during daytime
Photo by Juan Salamanca on Pexels.com

Questions have consequences

Well this is frustrating…. all my thoughts just disappeared.   So now I get to try to recreate them!!!  

In this passage we have two people with questions too which Gabriel, the angel of God, responds to differently.

Both Zechariah and Mary were startled when Gabriel showed up.  Both were given the same message of “don’t be afraid, I’m an angel of God” and then the reason for his arrival. 

Zechariah’s response to this momentous news was “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

Mary’s response was “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

Do you see the difference in the questions?  

Zechariah’s one of demand, or maybe more of sarcasm.  Like he’s saying “hey man, how is that going to happen with a couple of old farts?  Like seriously man, we’re old!”. 

Mary’s response was more of a wondering, a how can this happen to me?   She’s old enough to know how babies are made and well… wouldn’t you wonder how you could get pregnant with God’s child? 

Gabriel’s response therefore to each was different.  Zechariah disciplined with silence for nine months.  Nine months to consider God’s grace in his life.  

Mary on the otherhand got an explanation “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”   Her response was “Behold, I am the servant[f] of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” 

Immediate acceptance vs nine months of a reminder to accept God’s will for your life.

Oh… that I might be more like Mary.  Not needing time or discipline to accept God’s plan for my life. 

Let’s not forget Elizabeth!

Even though I concentrated on Zechariah and Mary we shouldn’t forget Elizabeth’s response. 

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

She saw God’s goodness in her life.  So much so she hid herself away savouring it. (my words I know) Knowing that in her society she would no longer be looked down upon for having no children.  For five months she kept this news for herself and Zechariah.   I wonder if non-speaking Zechariah found a  way to communicate with her about their son’s eventual ministry and God’s call upon his life. That would have helped me (if I were Elizabeth) to stay sequestered too, just trying to wrap my head around it all!