Creator, Father, King #353

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”

TODAY’S DEVOTION IS ABOUT one angel, two special birth announcements, and two completely different reactions.

One day, about two thousand years ago, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah while he was performing his Jewish priestly duties and announced that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would soon have a special baby boy. This child, John the Baptist, would eventually herald the coming of the long-awaited Messiah.

Zechariah couldn’t believe it.

“How can I be sure this will happen?” he asked. “I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years” (Luke 1:18).

For his faithless response, Zechariah’s speech was removed until shortly after John was born.

Six months after visiting Zechariah, Gabriel appeared to a young, unmarried girl named Mary to deliver another birth announcement—this one even more miraculous. When Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to the Savior of the world, she, too, had questions. Unlike Zechariah’s questions, though, hers seemed to stem from curiosity and wonder rather than disbelief.

“But how can this happen?” she said. “I am a virgin” (Luke 1:34).

“The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God’” (verse 35).

That was good enough for Mary!

“I am the Lord’s servant,” she replied. “May everything you have said about me come true” (verse 38).

What’s It Mean?

Two incredible announcements. Two different responses. One sprung from a heart of skepticism. The other sprung from a heart of faith and willing submission to God’s purposes.

This Christmas season, as you consider that the Most High sent his Son into the world to be the Savior of mankind through a Holy Spirit-empowered Virgin Birth that defies all human reason, what is your response? Is it skepticism? Like Zechariah, are you asking, “How can I be sure?” Or like Mary, are you displaying a faith and submission to God’s purposes that will be rewarded?

Mary and Elizabeth were relatives, and when Mary visited Elizabeth after her angelic visit, Elizabeth joyfully prophesied, “You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said” (Luke 1:45).

May the same be said of you this Christmas season.

Now What?

If skepticism about Jesus has ruled your life until now, believe on his name in repentance and faith today! (See Mark 1:15; Acts 4:12; and Romans 10:9-10.)

Did You Know?

Zechariah regained his speech when he obediently named his son John (Luke 1:57-66).