Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.” Luke 1:18-20
In the Gospel of Luke, two births are announced. Before Gabriel brings the news to Mary of her miraculous birth, he visits Zechariah, an elderly priest in Jerusalem. He informs Zechariah that he and his aged wife will finally have a child, a son who will be “possessed by the spirit and power of Elijah.”
Zechariah and Mary respond differently. Both are presented with impossible good news; Zechariah asks “How can I be sure?” Mary asks, “How can this be?” Zechariah’s question seeks evidence to be convinced. Mary’s question expresses wonder.
Most of the time I feel like Zechariah. Academics tend to pride themselves on their doubt; it is an important tool in research. How do I know this universally assumed statement is true? What evidence is there for it? We analyze and pick apart and must persuade or be persuaded.
These are not bad things in themselves, but perhaps not the most appropriate way to greet an angel who just came from heaven with a message from God. Somewhere in the mystery of how we know things, we are expected to recognize that God should be believed when he speaks (and immediately my scholarly mind chirps up with, “Ah, yes, but how do we know it is God who is speaking?”).
The balance in the New Testament’s approach to doubt is struck between God’s mercy and exasperation. The man who asks Jesus to heal his demon-possessed son in Mark 9 declares, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Jesus responds by healing the boy. Zechariah demands a sign, and the angel gives him one: Zechariah is struck dumb the boy is born and named John. The sign is both proof and reproof, but it is given. Zechariah’s doubt does not deprive him of the gift.
This Christmas season, may we marvel with Mary’s faith at God’s gifts to us, but may we also know that when we doubt, God’s love is greater than our doubt. God’s redemptive purposes are greater than our mistakes and weaknesses, and like Zechariah, may we see God act in our lives, even when our stumbling threatens to get in the way.
I recently read part of an interview between two scientists, one a Christian and one not. The non-Christian actively pursues getting people to accept there is no God. Reading that had me thinking about faith and doubt in the face of such persistance. This was a timely post.
Oh, and a Happy New Year to you and your family!
I always crack up when I read how God dealt with Zechariah’s doubt – as an extremely talkative, doubting person, I can just imagine how frustrating that must have been.
Happy new year to you!
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Sometimes I think that should be my personal motto. I love the reminder that while God disciplines Zechariah for his doubt he did not remove the gift of a son.
Another wonderful post that I needed to read today. Thanks!
It’s like you are just gathering up all my favourite ideas (some old, some new) and putting them in one place. I’m going to miss it when the twelve days are over!