Luke 1: Lessons on Believing the word of God

There are 4 basic scenes that occur in Luke 1. Scene 1 occurs at the temple in Jerusalem with the primary characters Zechariah, angel Gabriel, and the people (1:5-25). Scene 2 occurs in the city of Nazareth in Galilee with primary characters being Mary, a virgin, and Gabriel (1:26-38). Scene 3 occur in a town in Judah south of Galilee between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth (1:39-56). Scene 4 occurs with characters Zechariah, Elizabeth, and their neighbors presumably at the same town as scene 3 (1:57-80).

First, it is striking how scene 1 and scene 2 are juxtaposed. Luke is clearly pointing to a comparison and contrast to the two scenes and the characters involved. The character profiles tell the stories of two very different people.

Scene 1 Zechariah priest male in Jerusalem
Scene 2 Mary virgin female in Nazareth of Galillee

These strikingly different people both receive an angelic encounter. The piety of these two individuals is also clear as Zechariah is righteous and blameless. Mary found favor with God.

At this point the contrast begins to occur:

The angel’s message to Zechariah is that he and his wife will have a son. The angel instructs him on the special life his son will have. The son is to be named John.
The angel’s message to Mary is that she as a virgin will have a son. The angel instructs her on the special life her son will have. The son is to be named Jesus.

The contrast continues in the response of these two people:

Zechariah asks, “How shall I know this?” His concern was the age of he and his wife.
Mary asks, “How will this be?” Her concern is her virginity.

The question of either of these people seems to make sense as both are difficult to imagine.
Certainly, Zechariah was told something that harkened back to the story of the Patriarch Abraham. Mary was told something without parallel. The difference in the questions asked by Zechariah and Mary could not be bigger. Zechariah was asking for authentication and Mary was asking for more about the process.

Ø Gabriel explains that Zechariah did not believe, so he would be muted.

Ø Gabriel explains more details to believing Mary, and authenticated his message with the announcement of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.

Zechariah could not respond at that moment further because he was muted. Mary in contrast spoke of her humbleness before God and her desire for God’s word to be fulfilled.

Application:

In considering this leading chapter to the birth narrative of Jesus Christ, I am challenged in my own belief in the word of God. When I consider a promise of God do I ask how can it be true or how will God do it? Promises such as a way of escape in the face of temptation must be believed as coming from God. The return of Christ and His kingdom are certain promises that do not need further authentication.

I am also encouraged that faith can come from the unlikeliest of sources. A young girl, with no husband had great faith and was favored by God. Mary believed the message of God and serves as an example to everyone of what faith in God should look like. I should look to anyone as a possible place of faith and count no one out. I should also emphasize the faith in other around me. This admirable trait is worthy of recognition and can come from unlikely people and unlikely places.