There is one topic I never get tired of and always find interesting – me. I could talk about many topics, as long as I could relate it back to me. I am interested in many things, but ultimately, I want to know how something is going to affect me. Me. Me. Me. Me.
Which is probably why I relate so well to the story of Zechariah at Christmas.
When the angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that he and Elizabeth would be parents, Zechariah’s response in different translations of Luke 1:18 sounded like it was coming from me, myself and I.
NIV: “How can I be sure of this?”
NASB: “How will I know this for certain?”
The Message: “Do you expect me to believe this?”
I. I. Me. No problem determining where his focus was at that moment, even though he is described as upright in the sight of God before Gabriel arrives (Luke 1:6).
By comparison, Mary’s response to an almost identical situation, with Gabriel again declaring she would be a parent despite a seemingly impossible situation, differs dramatically. Where is the focus of her responses in the translations of Luke 1:34?
NIV: “How will this be?”
NASB: “How can this be?”
The Message: “But how?”
Both Zechariah and Mary were asking questions to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). But Zechariah’s defenses are up, and he wants definitive answers. Mary is open to what Gabriel is telling her, but curious about the process. Which response do you think God is after, since only one of them ended up mute until the birth of their child?
As Zechariah found out, if you focus on yourself, it just shows your ignorance toward the power of God, sets yourself up as an idol, and leaves you a little more isolated from the people He expects you to serve.
But enough about you. I’ve got something much more inter –
Sorry. Still need some work in that area.
Which way will you respond when the Lord announces your next assignment for Him, like Zechariah or like Mary?
Oh!! That is GOOD! Thank you for that, something I never made a connection between!
Zechariah