Mary and Zechariah share much on common in the first chapter of
Luke’s Gospel. Both are visited by the angel Gabriel. Both
receive blessed news from him. Both learn they will have a child
through miraculous or out of the ordinary means—Zechariah and
Elizabeth are greatly advanced in years (1:7, 18) as the
narrative constantly reminds us, while Mary is a virgin as the
narrative also reminds us. Both children fulfill a significant
Old Testament prophecy (John = Elijah and Jesus = Davidic
Messiah). Both question God’s message from Gabriel. At this
point, a chasm of difference arises. One the one hand, because
of Zechariah questions how he can have a child, he is silenced
until God fulfills his word. On the other hand, when Mary
questions how she can have a child, she is re-assured that God
will work through his Spirit to make it happen. What’s the deal?
Is God arbitrary in how he treats his people? Not at all. Listen
to these questions: After Gabriel told him his wife would bear a
son named John who will come in