2024_12_20 Insight Post- Karenna Rowenhorst
This week’s reading- Luke 1:5-80
I’ve been thinking this week about the visits of the angel Gabriel to two individuals in this week’s reading: Zechariah, a priest in the temple, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. They both play key roles in the story of Jesus coming into this world. We know that both Mary and Zechariah were committed to God and His laws, and I think they were chosen for their roles because of their hearts leaning towards God.
But, there is a big difference between how they react to the messages brought by Gabriel. Both of them react with awe and fear – totally understandable as I can’t imagine the feelings I would have seeing an angel who says they “stand in the presence of God!” This is where the similarity ends. Mary responds to the angel by asking, “How can this happen? I am a virgin.” (Luke 1:34). Mary is asking “What is the process for this to happen?” She is wondering how God will achieve the plans the angel has laid out for her. Which is a huge difference from Zechariah’s question, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” (Luke 1:18). His question reveals his mistrust in God’s ability to achieve his plans. Zechariah is asking, “Can God even do this?”
After Mary’s visit with an angel, she focuses on her role as a servant of God. Zechariah’s response after his visit with an angel was one of total disbelief. He appears to be questioning God’s abilities instead of asking how God will achieve his purposes. I think the important contrast here is not that we can’t ask questions – both Mary and Zechariah ask for more information. The difference is in their level of trust in God’s abilities to get the job done. We can trust God and still have questions. And at the same time, we need to trust that God will always accomplish His purposes. Zechariah, and I’m guessing many of us, struggle with knowing that God can do “more than we can ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20)
Because of his lack of trust, God causes Zechariah to be unable to speak. I’m not sure if the silence pressed upon Zechariah is a punishment. Maybe instead, it was a gift. I know that the experience made him grow in his faith. God was teaching Zechariah something through this period of silence. I know that listening instead of talking makes me pay closer attention. It gives me space for reflecting instead of just responding. If you look at Zechariah’s first words and how he regains the ability to speak, we see that his actions show his newly developed trust in God’s plan. “He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.” (Luke 1:63-64).
The best news out of all of this is that God used Zechariah anyway! God used the experience to grow and stretch Zechariah’s faith in God, but He didn’t turn his back on him. God can use all of us despite our flaws, insecurities, and lack of trust. This Christmas season, let’s remember that God is completely trustworthy and full of love for us. We can rest in His love and in His plan for us.
Karenna Rowenhorst, MA
Senior Director of Education