Life Ministries

Let’s take a quick look at the stories of two people; Zacharias and Mary. What was their faith like and what were their expectations concerning what the angel comes to tell them?

    Let’s do a little comparing here first of all, in order to get the full picture; Zacharias was a mature believer; he was an older man; a devoted believer in God and His Word; with lots of experience in the Temple. He was a priest, we are told, who was “upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.”

    Mary, on the other hand, was young - probably yet a teenager; she had little experience as a disciple, but she was willing to serve; and, we are told that she “found favor with God” and that “the Lord was with her.”  The question is, “How old do you have to be to have faith in God, or for God to use you in a special way? How mature must you be to trust the Lord and His plan for your life? From most people’s point of view, it would seem Zacharias has the advantage here - or does it?

    It is interesting that both receive a visit from an angel telling them they are going to have a baby. Now, if this happened to you or I, we might be somewhat startled, and amazed, or even fearful, but what I want us to see is their response. Zacharias responds with “No way!”  While Mary says “Yes, way!”  In fact, “Your way!”…Well, her words were more like; “May it be as you have said”. 

    Zacharias struggles with whether or not to believe this is possible. He has never experienced anything like this before. An angel?…Answered prayer?…A miracle?…Zach’s response is ”I want proof!”…”How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife Elizabeth is no spring chicken!”…”Where were you 40 years ago?  It sounds impossible to me, and I’ll have to see it to believe it!”

    Mary, on the other hand, is at the other end of that spectrum; She is a young virgin, and struggles with the natural laws of childbirth. However, when the angel tells her that this is beyond natural, that it involves the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, and that God the “Most High” will do what He says He will do,  Mary believes that “nothing is impossible with God!” The keyword perhaps being “with” because “one plus God is a majority!” She simply says; “May it be…”

    You see, faith is not easy. It doesn’t just flow naturally. There is always a struggle with doubt and reason and logic; especially when we “lean on our own understanding.” But, over time experience just finally says; “If God said it, I believe it!”  If you read what the scriptures call “Mary’s Song” you will see that Mary has read the scriptures; she knows what God has done and is capable of doing, and she responds with “Let it be as you have said!” Your faith and my faith works the same way; the more we experience God in our lives, the more our faith grows! And, the more our faith grows, the more we experience God in our lives!

    Finally, let’s look at the reward for their expectations. Zacharias doesn’t expect God to do anything; and he is rewarded with nine months of silence. For nine months he can’t make a sound. Notice also that he wasn’t in any hurry to tell the world what had happened, because it says (in verse 24) that “Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.” In fact, it would seem as though many of their friends and neighbors didn’t know about what God had done until it was time to have the baby! Which brings to mind the question; How many of our friends and family won’t hear the “good news” until Jesus comes, and it’s too late? How many of us are keeping quiet about what God has done in our lives, and when Jesus comes it will be too late?

    Mary, on the other hand, goes to see Elizabeth to tell her what God has done! She can hardly wait for the promise of God to be accomplished.  This Advent season ought to find us like Mary…waiting in great expectation and anticipation for God to fulfill His promise!

    For Zacharias and Elizabeth, the focus of attention was not on them, but on the baby - to be called John.  For Mary, the focus was not on her or on Joseph, but on the child - who was to be called Jesus… the Son of God; the Savior of the world! What is our focus on? The Tree? The shopping? The presents? On the things we don’t have? Listen, our focus should be; “It’s not about me, It’s all about Him!”  Flip Wilson used to say; “What you see is what you get!” This Advent season, I would say, “What you expect, is what you get.” Expect Joy, expect Peace, expect to love and be loved, and expect great things from God! Most of all expect Jesus to come again!