Tuesday, September 28, 2010

SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?  I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”  Luke 1:18 NIV
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”  Luke 1:34 NIV

These are two questions put to Gabriel after he had appeared to Zechariah and Mary with a word from the Lord concerning their firstborn sons.

At first glance, these two questions seem very similar and they are.  However, I could have said, “At first glance, these two questions don’t seem to be very different, but they are”.  The point I want you to consider today is that, although two things can be very similar, they can be catastrophically different. 

Before looking at the differences of these two questions, first we should look at the similarities of the two situations.  Gabriel addressed both Zechariah and Mary concerning the birth of their first child, a son.  Each birth, as described by Gabriel, would have a “supernatural twist” regarding the conception of that son and a detailed description of what that son would be named, how each would minister God’s word and will in the earth, and how God was going to empower them, respectively, after the lineage of Elijah and David.

The major differences pertaining to these supernatural visitations are many.  Zechariah was a priest and, of course, Mary was not.  Zechariah was before the altar of God and Mary was not.  Gabriel announced to Zechariah an answer to his prayers and announced to Mary that she was highly favored by God and that the Lord was with her.  Gabriel’s announcement to Zechariah had to do with a miracle that had a historical precedent with the birth of a child to Abraham who was along in years and Sarah who was both old and barren, but his announcement to Mary had to do with a miracle with no precedent and would have been considered to man to be impossible.

So, I think you can see that Zechariah was not acting in faith and doubted God’s message as delivered by Gabriel because of the circumstances of his and Elizabeth’s age and her barrenness.  Although he and Elizabeth had fulfilled all the “Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly”, he was immediately startled by Gabriel and was filled with fear.  He was totally unprepared for his visitation, and because of his questioning God’s Word for his life, he was not able to speak for nigh on to a year.

Mary, on the other hand, was greatly troubled by Gabriel’s appearance and was filled with wonder concerning his words.  She, however, was not startled and clearly was not fearful of Gabriel or his message.  She did not question God’s ability to achieve that which He said He would do; she only wondered how He would do it.

Although God’s Word came to pass in Zechariah’s life, he and his family suffered considerably because of his not believing, of his lack of faith.  Conversely, God’s Word came to pass in Mary’s life and she found favor with God because she believed Him.

God’s Word is chocked full of promises that we cancel, deny, diminish, fail to receive, and actually blaspheme each and every day.  In Romans 8:28 NIV God’s Word says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”.  Most everyone acknowledges that they believe this scripture but if the bush hog slides over against the lift arm of your tractor mashing your finger in between, what do you do?  Do you give God the glory for it by thanking Him for the truth of Romans 8:28, Psalms 103:3, Isaiah 53:5 and 1Peter 2:24 or do you like Zechariah become startled, fearful and begin telling God how badly this hurts, has messed up your life, and question how He could have allowed this to happen to you?

Everyday, whether alone before God or in the company of others, we are given opportunities to be full of faith and confidence like Mary or to be gripped with fear and question the authority of God’s Word like Zechariah.  Remember Matthew 12:37 NKJV, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned”. 

Dear God, our Father in Heaven, call those outside your Kingdom and help us as Your children to allow you to direct our steps so we can glorify you in all we say and do.  Amen and so be it!

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