But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren
and both were advanced in years.
We know that there are several precedents in the Old Testament of women who were too old to conceive nevertheless miraculously bearing children by the power of God. The children that were born in such instances were often to play in important role in the history of their people, from Isaac, to Samson, to Samuel. We note that repeated emphasis of this theme as indicative of the fact that these miracles mean some special to God. We might even go so far as to say that in each one he looks forward to the way he would bring the Jesus our savior into the world by causing Mary to conceive even though she was a virgin. The conception of John the Baptist in the womb of Elizabeth was one more divine intervention that fit this pattern. What they all had in common was that, by accomplishing something humanly impossible, he gave the couples what their hearts desired. Every conception is indeed a gift of God. But in these cases he delighted to give them in such a way that his love and mercy were especially evident. Mary's case was of course somewhat unique. But in each, God delighted to work within the structure of the family to accomplish his purpose. This was always both for the sake of the individuals involved and also for society as a whole.
Then Zechariah said to the angel,
“How shall I know this?
For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
God had sufficiently prepared for this moment that Zechariah should have been able to believe what he was being told, since he would have been familiar with the Scriptures in which previous instances of the pattern were recorded, and since, in any case, he ought to have believed the supernatural being who revealed it to him. But he succumbed to the human tendency to believe the familiar over than the fantastical, even when the fantastical appeared before his eyes. He could not be roused from the hypnosis by which the world caused him to place limits on what he believed was possible for God. He was ultimately able to receive the gift God gave him. But he was not able to do so all at once and without reservations. Only Mary was ever able to do that perfectly, and she because she had been prepared by God with special grace to do so. Hence the superficially similar questions Zechariah and Mary asked Gabriel were in fact quite different. Zechariah demanded proof. Mary only asked for clarification of what was meant. Thus we see a significant difference on the threshold of salvation. God desired to be fully manifest only where he would be fully welcomed so as to not have to force his way into our world. The birth of John the Baptist unleashed much grace to prepare for his coming. But only the complete yes of Mary's fiat led to his birth in our world.
But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them,
and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary.
He was gesturing to them but remained mute.
We tend to have more Zechariah in us than Mary. We tend to ask for proof rather than we respond with humble ascent and request for clarification. A good strategy when we find ourselves doubting is the manage our speech more carefully. Rather than speaking our doubts, we can choose silence, and eventually learn to affirm what God's word tells us. Making a habit of voicing our doubts tends to give them power and influence over us that makes it difficult for us to see beyond them. Making a habit of speaking the word of God helps us to believe that for him all things really are possible, even when they are beyond anything we have previously experienced.
I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD;
O God, I will tell of your singular justice.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
Marty Haugen - My Soul In Stillness Waits
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