Zacharias and Mary

 

Zacharias and Mary

 

Have you ever thought about why Zacharias was punished for questioning the angel but Mary was not.

 

Luke 1:5-25, 57-80 is about Zacharias, Elizabeth and their son John, Elizabeth is a relative of Mary who would be the mother of JESUS. Zacharias and Elizabeth are both Levites, Zacharias of the division of Abijah and Elizabeth a descendant of Aaron. While Zacharias was serving in the Temple in The Holy Place he had an angelic visitation from Gabriel who told him that he and his wife were going to have a son and he would be an evangelistic prophet going before the Messiah. When Zacharias questioned how that could be (“And Zacharias said to the angel, ‘How shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is well advanced in years?”) the angel put a curse on him that he could not speak until all that the angel had told him came to pass; a minimum of nine months.

 

Luke 1:26-58, 2:1-40 is about Joseph who would be JESUS’ step-father, Mary and JESUS the Only Begotten Son of GOD. About six months into Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Mary has a visit from the same angel who tells her that she will become pregnant with The Messiah and is to name Him JESUS. When she asked how that could be (“Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’”) Gabriel did not put a curse on her but took the time to explain what was going to happen to her.

 

So what is the difference? Zacharias was a priest in the service of GOD and Mary was a young innocent girl. Zacharias wanted a sign and Mary just did not understand. So what does that mean for me? That it is ok to not understand but not necessarily to ask for a sign of proof; if we are a believer the question to GOD is never prove to me what You say. The man who brought his son to the disciples to deliver him from demons pleaded with JESUS. “I believe! Help me in my unbelief!” his plead was for help not a sign. JESUS chastised the religious leaders for their always wanting a sign. So ask for help but do not ask for proof.