PrintWhy was Zechariah treated so differently to Mary? For Zechariah to be struck dumb for the 9 months until his son was born seems, to me, to be a tough call. Was Mary's question so different to that of Zechariah?
At first glance, Mary seems to ask virtually the same question and is rewarded with something of an explanation and reassurance. Then again, maybe it wasn't the same question? Could it be that each question reveals an attitude very different from the other?
Zechariah's question: “How can I be sure this will happen?" Do I detect a strong element of unbelief here? Gabriel seems to have picked up on it: “Since you didn't believe what I said, you will be silent…" (Luke 1/19,20)
Mary's question: “But how can this happen?" I don't think Mary was questioning or denying what the angel told her would happen. Rather Mary asking ‘how' would it happen.
Zechariah seems to be saying, “There is no way this could happen. I am an old man. My wife is beyond child-bearing age." Was Zechariah resisting the Word of the Lord through the angel? Even so, given the enormity of the content of that Word and the fact of his age, I think I can understand his struggle to believe.
I am both blessed and rebuked by the attitude of Mary. “I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true". Zechariah: “I am an old man now". That was his reason for not believing Mary: “I am a virgin". Despite that reality, she was submitted to the purposes of God.
Mary has been chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. She will endure the whispering campaign of her neighbours. She and Joseph will become asylum seekers in Egypt. All manner of opposition and misunderstanding will be her lot in life. As old Simeon said to Mary, “And a sword will pierce your very soul". (Luke 2/35)
That, to me, is a tough call.
