Luke 1:26-33
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Luke places the story of the announcement of Jesus’ birth right after the announcement of John’s birth. By doing this, he highlights the similarities and differences between the two births.

The announcement of John the Baptist’s birth shows the Lord answering the prayer of an elderly couple by blessing the barren womb of Elizabeth with a healthy child. The announcement was public (in the temple), to an important official (the priest Zechariah), and an occasion for public rejoicing. In contrast, the announcement of Jesus’ birth was in private, to a person of low social station in ancient Israel (a young woman), and an occasion for Mary to recommit herself to God’s will.

John the Baptist was described by Gabriel as “great in the eyes of the Lord,” Jesus was described as “very great,” “the Son of the Most High,” and an heir to an everlasting kingdom.

John’s birth was remarkable because of the age of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Jesus’ birth was miraculous because Mary was a virgin.

The clearest contrast is the different ways Zechariah and Mary responded to the angel. Unlike Zechariah, Mary did not doubt the angel’s message. While Zechariah asked how he could be certain his wife would bear a child, Mary simply believed and submitted herself to the Lord’s will with these words. She not only took Gabriel’s statement “Nothing is impossible with God” as her statement of faith, she also awaited God working out His will in her life: “May everything you have said come true.” With these words, Mary committed herself to facing the hardships obeying God would involve.

Unfortunately, we often follow Zechariah’s example instead of Mary’s, doubting the truth of God’s Word, asking for proofs. Instead, we should follow Mary’s simple demonstration of faith.

Wait for the Lord
Zechariah thought it unbelievable he and his wife could conceive a child. But God delivers on time! We can have complete confidence God will keep His word. His promises may not be fulfilled the next day, but they will be “at the proper time.”

If you are waiting for God to answer a request or to fill a need, remain patient and “wait for the Lord.”

No matter how impossible God’s promises may seem; what He has said will come true at the right time.