The Who

“’How can this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’” Luke 1:34

Yesterday we saw where poor Zechariah was made mute for the length of his wife’s pregnancy due to the question he asked Gabriel, God’s messenger. Today we find ourselves in the story of Mary who was visited by the same angel with similar news. She, too, asks a question of God’s messenger but with different results. I have always wondered why one question resulted in punishment but the other question resulted in an explanation and blessing. My commentary says it all in one short sentence. “Mary’s question, ‘How can this be?’ was one of wonder but not of doubt.”

This brings up a critical issue regarding our freedom to question God. I have always been a believer in the fact that God gives us freedom to question since we are of human flesh with human responses. The issue is more about the condition of our heart and mind when asking the question. Are we asking God out of curiosity and wonderment or are we requiring proof from Him out of skepticism like Zechariah? Zechariah needed more proof from God before he would believe, whereas Mary believed but was attempting to make something logical out of the illogical.

Our hearts must be rooted in belief and resolve in the One who can do all things. “For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

We may question the how but we should never question the Who.