It Takes Two To Tango!

I began reading the Gospel of Luke this week. In chapter 1, the angel appears to both Zechariah and Mary. Both question the angel yet Zechariah is chastened and Mary gets a free pass. I used to think it was because of Mary’s youth or that she is a girl or that the magnitude of the news caused God to handle her more gently. But in reading this anew, I realized that, even though they both received impossible news (the prospect of children even though they were either too old or unmarried) and both had questions, Zechariah’s question expressed doubt (How can I be sure of this?) while Mary’s expressed faith (How will this be?) Zechariah wanted a sign or some assurance that this would happen. God gave him one - the sign of silence because he “did not believe.” Mary expressed certainty that this would happen but asked “how.” She was wanting to know what she was suppose to do to make this happen. She assumed that she would have to take an active role in this process and that a suitable partner must be available. There is (at least in her day) only one way to get pregnant. It takes two to tango. Was she to marry Joseph quickly and purposefully get pregnant? But then God delivers the bomb shell - she would become pregnant through an act of the Holy Spirit. She did not have to do anything. God would take care of everything. Her response is astounding without a trace of doubt, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Her cousin, Elizabeth, confirms her faith by saying, “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

God speaks. He doesn’t waste words. What He says, He will do. I can doubt and live in instability or I can believe and walk with confidence. Blessed are we who believe that what the Lord has said will be accomplished!