Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."
Luke 1:34
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
Unbelievable!
Both were given news.Both were astounded.
Both questioned.
Zechariah was left mute.
Mary was blessed.
Gabriel is one of two angels named in the Bible. This time his job was to deliver news of two unbelievable pregnancies. Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, was beyond child bearing and Mary was a virgin. Obviously, both Zechariah and Mary were overwhelmed and confused. Both questioned.
So why did God accept Mary's question and not Zechariah? I believe the answer is in the questions themselves. Zechariah looks at Gabriel. The angel sent by God. The angel who just said God had heard his prayer. The angel who said this boy would be filled with God's spirit. And Zechariah asks, "How can I be sure?" Since an angel from the Lord wasn't enough, Zechariah was struck mute. This wasn't permanent. After the baby was born and Zechariah confirmed that his name was "John," instantly he could speak again. The first things out of his mouth--praises to God!
Then there was Mary. She, too, was given unbelievable news. Unheard of news! The difference between her question and Zechariah's is very subtle. "How can this be?" She was a virgin. This was incredible, unbelievable. "How can this be?" She needed to know how it was possible. Zechariah needed to know how he could be sure. Both questioned "how." Mary--How can this be? Zechariah--How can I believe? Both got their answers. Mary was immediately willing and was blessed. She wrote a song of praise, probably while visiting Zechariah and Elizabeth. Zechariah's praise came after 9 months of silent reflection.
