The angel said it would be so, twice. His announcement was first to Zecharias, the father of John the Baptist: “you’re going to have a son.” Just a few short months later, Gabriel, the angel, gives the same news to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Strikingly, I find the initial response to both announcements similar.
And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” Luke 1:18 NKJV
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” Luke 1:34 NKJV
Isn’t this so you… so me! We question, don’t we? Why is it that we have to come to an understanding before we will accept the cup from which we are being asked to drink. We have to have the facts, down to every last detail, before we open our heart to trust. For Zacharias, his doubt caused him to be mute for nine month until his baby was born. But for Mary, the outcome was a bit different, not because she didn’t doubt, but her heartfelt response that quickly followed. Check it out:
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word… Luke 1:38(a) KJV
Although the message from the angel was the same, the difference in the responses of Mary and Zacharias was unmistaken. Mary’s FAITH was seen in her dependency of the truth of God’s word and her belief that it would come to pass just as the Lord spoke it (“be unto me according to Thy word”). Later, Mary’s relative, Elizabeth would say, “blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45 NKJV.
Secondly, Mary declared TO WHOM she belonged. “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord” revealed the secret to not only her faith, but her acceptance of this cup, this lot in life she was being given. This was an assignment from the Lord that would go so far beyond her nine months of discomfort, and her ridicule for a lifetime of being the “unwed” mother. He was the holder of her heart, which caused her to trust her Lord in any circumstance.
…to be continued. Read handmaid part ii
