“How?”
In the beginning of Luke, Gabriel delivers messages filled with promise to two of God’s chosen, and each respond with “How?” – but Gabriel’s reaction to one is to punish and to the other is to encourage. Why is that? Why were Mary and Zechariah treated differently for asking seemingly similar questions?
“How can I be sure?” and “How will it be done?” are very different questions.
The former focuses on the speaker, the latter on the action. In the first chapters of Luke, Zechariah and Mary ask these questions of the angel Gabriel, and Gabriel’s reaction to each of them was very different. While the questions may seem similar, they have important differences that reveal the thoughts of the speaker.
Zechariah wanted to know how he could be sure of Gabriel’s message, Mary wanted to know how the events being promised would come to pass. Zechariah focused on himself, Mary focused on the promise.
Gabriel came to them both to tell them each similar news – they would both be having a child. For Zechariah this was incredible due to his age, for Mary this was incredible due to her virginity. They both were fully aware of their worldly barriers to the fulfillment of the promises Gabriel made, but they had very different responses.
Zechariah, being a righteous man in the eyes of God (Luke 1.6), had prayed and prayed with his wife Elizabeth for this very thing to happen for them. They had asked God to give them a child, and they led a holy, righteous lives. God was graciously answering their prayers. So, when Gabriel appeared to him it was to reveal to him that what he desired, what he had so desperately pleaded for, was going to occur. The only condition was that his child would serve a very special purpose and would be highly favored - not a bad condition if you ask me. Zechariah’s prayers were being answered.
Mary, a young girl, was favored in the eyes of the Lord. She was not a religious figure or leader like Zechariah, she was simply a young woman set to marry a man as customs of the time dictated. She had been well behaved and had never known a man before, nor had she been praying to have a child. She was simply living her life the best way she knew how. Therefore, when Gabriel appeared to her it was with news of a promise she’d never even thought about. She was caught off guard with almost unbelievable news, I imagine anyone would have reacted with a “Say again?”.
I want to point out a very important difference in the people to whom God was calling and making promises to. One had asked for this news; the other was being blind sided with it.
Mary was just a girl, Zechariah was an elderly priest. This background in and of itself suggests that Zechariah should have an easier time accepting God’s promises at face value. After all, he has dedicated his life to serve Him. Mary would not have had the same education nor the lifetime of experience that Zechariah did.
And yet – Zechariah demands proof and Mary bows her head and asks how it is to be done. Maybe Mary had the advantage - maybe she was too naive to realize just how insane a virgin bearing a child was, but as she was betrothed I am confident that she at least had an idea. Zechariah and seen much of the world and knew how unlikely some things were, so maybe worldly conditioning had weakened his ability to have unquestionable faith like a child. Even so, Zechariah thinks of himself and Mary thinks of the promise. Zechariah questions and doubts, Mary accepts and is curious. So, when Zechariah asks “How?” Gabriel is perturbed, when Mary asks “How?” Gabriel is patient.
Like Zechariah, I have seen the way the world generally works and I am familiar with the saying “That’s just how it is” so I can empathize with him. When we’ve seen the same outcome again and again - we become accustomed to ‘normal’. So when Gabriel appeared telling him that he would not be following the status quo - he wasn’t ready. Would any of us have been?
As for the questions Mary and Zechariah asked Gabriel, God does not expect us to follow Him without curiosity. He wants us to ask Him questions and to seek him, it is the nature of our questions that can get us into trouble. When we, like Zechariah, demand proof of his promises for ourselves – we are focused on selfish desires. When we, like Mary, ask how something is to be – we are curious children that desire to learn about our God and His promises.
I suppose what I hope for is thus: That we all be a little more like Mary, obedient and trusting without doubt. And let us learn from Zechariah, it is not our place to demand proof, it is our privilege to be a part of God’s plan and His promises.
As always, I am but a work in progress.
Cheers.