Luke 1:34-41 - Reasonable doubt
Scripture:
Luke 1:34-41
34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"
35 The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
36 "And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.
37 "For nothing will be impossible with God."
38 And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
39 Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah,
40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
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Thoughts:
It's interesting that Mary, like Zacharias, has a hard time believing what the angel has said! In verses 26 to 33, the angel has told her of how she will give birth to Christ as He takes on human form. Unlike Zacharias however, Mary's question seems more reasonable given the outlandish miracle that is announced, completely out of the blue. Zacharias in contrast, doubted an answer to his prayers (verse 13).
I find it encouraging that Mary's reasonable doubt is not met with any sort of rebuke. God is Himself, reasonable. He does want us to walk in faith, but He is understanding, as well.
Psalm 103:14
14 For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.NASU
And so, as with Zacharias, a confirming sign is given (verse 36). And Mary immediately goes to where she can see if it is so (verses 39-40). This no doubt gave her confidence in what she had been told by the angel. A lesser miracle had already been done, and a greater one was beginning (verse 37).
Prayer:
Lord, thank You that you came in this way. Using ordinary followers of You.
Like Mary and Elizabeth, there's nothing outstanding in the world's eyes about my life. But I ask You to show up, and make this day extraordinary in Your eyes. May my response be as Mary's (verse 38); willing servitude.
Amen
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