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Mary’s Question
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Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
Luke 1:34
How? Before we get too far here, can we just see what has transpired this day for Mary to this point?
26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luke 1:26
Mary’s Silence
HOW is going to steal today’s thoughts, but first look at the very first word in verse 26…THEN said Mary. THEN. Think about that, seriously. It tells us a lot about Mary. How many of us have teenagers, as was Mary, who we’ve said, “Don’t talk, listen…” while we were giving them instructions? And never mind teens, how many of us would have kept our mouths shut to this point? Mary, you amaze me again! THEN said Mary…HOW?
Mary’s Character being revealed
Considering the enormous transformation her life would take personally and make possible in all of us, we don’t hear a lot about Mary’s life before- or even too much after -this account with Gabriel. We DO know how important she was, and the Lord is unfolding her uprightness to us through these details. Mary’s character is being revealed.
Same Question
And Zechariah, said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
Luke 1:18
Same question, different intent. Mary and Zechariah were told a very similar message from Gabriel and they both had almost the same response. How? Yet, they were indeed very different.
Zechariah and Mary were both chosen by the Lord to bare -and name- their son’s for God’s purpose.
5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
Luke 1:5-7
Zechariah was blameless and righteous, walking with God. Mary was highly favored, blessed among women and the Lord was with her. Seems they were much the same in these ways. But I see some significant differences, too.
Old vs Young
Scripture teaches us of the value in both youth, (I Tim 4:12) and age (Titus 2) and I think we see a peek into both right here in Luke. An old priest, knowledgeable, upright and God-fearing, doubting. A young virgin, humble, learning, willing.
Could it have been knowing too much about life that got in Zechariah’s way? Could it have been living too little that allowed Mary to be so willing? Not taking away anything from God’s Word and the wisdom that comes from walking with the Lord, or the great value young people have to offer as God gives them a work to do, but what a great pause here to remember God’s Spirit is in all of us who He has saved, and no matter where we are in our walk with Him He still has things to teach us. May we learn to temper the wisdom God has given us in our walk with Him-His redemptive story being written in our very lives-with the willingness of tender heart and faith like a child.
Intent
And Zechariah, said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
Luke 1:8
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
Luke 1:34
Suddenly Zechariah’s doubt filled his heart and his words. Though he was accustomed, as a priest, to seeing God show up; this old man knew better. In every way it was impossible for him to wrap his intelligence around God’s seemingly unintelligible message. His apprehension overcame his willingness to learn more. His how revealed his doubt.
Mary’s how was different. In her question she displayed her quest to learn more.
I. in interrogation; how? in what way? — in a direct question, followed by a. the indicative, it is the expression α. of one seeking information and desiring to be taught: Luke 1:34
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God’s Message
Here, heading toward December 25th more than 2,000 years later, God’s message is not over. His Word is alive and well, and He is still working in the lives of His children. You and me. If you don’t know that, get into His Word. Start reading, praying and meditating over the Word of God. These things we’re seeing in Luke are fascinating, don’t you agree? Today I want to encourage you to think about your own how.
Your Response
What is it the Lord has been challenging you with? Are you responding with the same question Zechariah and Mary asked, how? There’s nothing wrong with asking the Lord how, but check your heart. Are you doubting or desiring to learn more?
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