Mary’s Story​

The angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary as told in Luke 1:26-38 can be compared with his visit to Zechariah. There are striking parallels in both accounts – both were “troubled” when the angel Gabriel appeared to them:​

• Gabriel gave them both the same reassurance – “Do not be afraid”​
• Both were told of impending miraculous conceptions​
• Both responded with a question that contained an element of incomprehension (Luke 1:18, 35)​

Yet only one of them was admonished. Zechariah was punished with temporary muteness. The differing responses to Mary and Zechariah highlight some important aspects of faith, doubt and God’s response.

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1. Mary’s question versus Zechariah’s doubt ​

• Mary asked, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Her question expressed confusion, a desire for understanding, but not disbelief. She accepted the angel’s words and was willing to trust in God’s plan, even if she did not fully comprehend how this was humanly possible.
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• Zechariah’s question, on the other hand, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced well in years” betrayed his doubt, skepticism and lack of faith in God’s power. ​

2. Faith as the Central Theme​

• Mary’s response represents a model of faith and trust in the Almighty God despite not being able to humanly comprehend how God’s plan could manifest itself – a model of simple, child-like faith, obedience and submission that all of us believers can learn from. This is underscored by her response, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
• Zechariah, on the other hand, displayed a moment of faithlessness, despite being a priest and a righteous man – both he and his wife Elizabeth were described as “righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.” The manner in which he questioned Gabriel suggests that Zechariah was making the statement, “This is impossible; show me how it is possible!” ​

3. God’s Personalised Response ​

The differing responses to Mary and Zechariah demonstrate that God deals with each of us uniquely, addressing the condition of our faith, hearts and personal circumstances.​

• Little is known of Mary’s background and upbringing. But it is most likely that, as with most young women of her time, she had no education and formal religious training. Yet, she displayed a child-like faith and belief in our miraculous God. Furthermore, her heart of obedience and willingness to submit cannot be understated, especially in light of the cultural norms of her time. God’s response to her condition was a reassuring, gentle and detailed explanation of the divine conception that was to take place in her womb.
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• On the other hand, Zechariah was a priest, who might have been expected to respond with faith to the announcement, especially given the parallels to stories of miraculous births in Scripture – Sarah and Isaac, Hannah and Samuel – stories that a priest would be well-familiar with. Zechariah’s disbelief in a miraculous God was corrected by another miracle. God instantly muted him and made him unable to speak until the birth of John, no doubt giving him time to reflect on and repent from his disbelief and lack of faith.

May we all learn from Mary’s simple faith in and submission to God. May we never take for granted or be desensitised to the many daily miracles that God places around us – the miracle of life, the daily rising and setting of the sun, the functioning of our bodies. And may we daily be convicted that we serve and worship the God of miracles.​

By Deacon Shem Khoo​