But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
Luke 1:13
The first chapter of Luke's Gospel tells us of two pregnancies that could not be more different. There is the priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, a pious and blameless couple living an exemplary life pleasing to God. They had everything except for one thing, they had no children. In those days, and particularly as a family of priests, this was a blemish. During his service in the temple, Zechariah has an encounter with the angel Gabriel, who always appears when God wants to announce something very important concerning the future. The announcement that the long-awaited offspring will be born at their advanced age leaves the doubting Zechariah speechless.
On the other hand, there is Mary, a very young woman – who was still single until recently - to whom the angel Gabriel also appears and announces that she will have a son, the son who will be called "Son of the Most High" and for whom all are waiting (verse32). Although she cannot understand it and even expresses a valid reason why it can’t be, she believes the angel's words. Interestingly, the angel gives her a sign as a confirmation of the truth of his message, that is the pregnancy of Elizabeth. Mary accepts her task and makes herself available (v.38) despite all the reasons that contradict reason.
And yet, Mary still has to verify the truth of the message and hurries to Elizabeth in the Judean hill country. There, the visit of the two women becomes a special encounter. Elizabeth pronounces a blessing on Mary. Interestingly, it was Elizabeth, the wife of the priest, not the priest himself, who was filled with the Holy Spirit. (v.41) It was the young girl Mary, no high and mighty person, who was entrusted with the great task of becoming the mother of the Messiah, Savior, and Redeemer of the world.
I am impressed that these two women said “yes“ to their vocation even though it contradicted all the conventions of their time. God often acts unconventionally and not according to our ideas. When God has a mission for you, He does not ask about your age, your gender, your education, or your profession. He asks if you are ready. Are you?
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