We often refer to the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary in Luke 1 as “The Annunciation.” But, according to my friend Hanh at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat Center, there are two annunciations: one to Zechariah in Luke 1.5 – 25 and other to Mary in Luke 1.26 – 38. The main lesson is that Zechariah did not believe while Mary did. Here’s the relevant paragraph on Zechariah:

Zechariah asked the angel, “How do you expect me to believe this? I’m an old man and my wife is too old to give me a child. What sign can you give me to prove this will happen?” Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel. I stand beside God himself. He has sent me to announce to you this good news. But now, since you did not believe my words, you will be stricken silent and unable to speak until the day my words have been fulfilled at their appointed time and a child is born to you. That will be your sign!” (Luke 1.18 – 20, Passion Translation)

There are some interesting contrasts:

• Zechariah was a religious professional, a priest; Mary, a young (lay) woman. The professional didn’t believe; the layperson did.
• In Bible history, there are stories of “old-age” conceptions, most notably Abraham. There are no previous stories of a virgin birth. The event for which there was precedence was disbelieved while the new, unique event was believed.
• One person needed a sign; the other did not.

What should we be believing God for?

• An end to the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Real progress in race relations?
• Both current events leading to real changes of heart among us all?

What’s stopping us from believing? What would belief look like?

[Abraham] did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. (Romans 4.20, 21, NKJV)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude–innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. (Hebrews 11.1, 11, 12, NKJV)