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In the New Testament story of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary found in the Gospel of Luke, there is a powerful contrast of the heart.
On a certain day, while Zechariah was in the Temple offering incense at the altar, an angel appeared to him. This wasn’t any messenger angel, but Gabriel, the warrior angel. (verify)
He came from heaven with a very specific message for Zechariah; your wife will have a son.
The Bible tells us that Zechariah and his wife (Elizabeth) were righteous people, blamelessly following the commandments of the Lord.
They were righteous, not religious, because they blamelessly followed the Lord’s commandments.
This means they followed from their hearts rather than religious duty. Another way to put it is, they followed the Lord because they loved him.
Upon hearing the message, Zechariah replies, “How can I be sure of this?” (Luke 1:18).
Gabriel’s answer reveals Zechariah’s heart.
“And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words.” Luke 1:20, The New International Version.
Consider this
Zechariah is a righteous man,
Follows God from a pure heart,
BUT, in his heart, he did not believe the message from God given by the angel.
On the surface, Zechariah’s question was legitimate; he and his wife were old.
His question would be a natural response,
BUT, God looks at the heart, and found Zechariah shut to his message.
It is easy to read this passage of scripture and point an accusatory finger at God for being so harsh,
Which is what a religious mindset would do,
BUT, God is rich in mercy, and probes the heart for what is right.
Why this matters
We live in a world full of hatred, rebellion, and strife.
Words are hurled like so many arrows being released at an approaching enemy.
If we are not careful, we find ourselves joining the crowd and being on the outside looking in, as happened to Zechariah.
He was a righteous man, but when a message from God came to him, he closed his heart because it was contrary to the natural order of things.
If you believe the (crazy) stories of the Bible, (like a virgin having a baby) then you must be open to God doing things that are against the natural order of things.
Those of us who follow Christ must be ever aware of the attempts to shut our hearts and miss the things of God.
And then the contrast
In the same chapter of Luke’s gospel, chapter one, Gabriel visits Mary, who would become the mother of Jesus.
Gabriel delivers his message to Mary, who responds by saying,
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
Luke 1:34 New International Version
The responses of Zechariah and Mary are nearly the same, but why did Gabriel rebuke Zechariah and not Mary?
Zechariah was full of fear; Mary was full of curiosity.
“When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.” Luke 1:12 New International Version
Fear and faith are total opposites.
Fear gripped Zechariah’s heart, which was already closed to the Lord.
Remember, he is a righteous man, but he allowed his heart to grow cold toward the Lord, so when he showed up (through Gabriel), Zechariah wasn’t excited but fearful.
Zechariah’s condition can speak volumes about your situation in life.
On the outside, he appeared to be doing well, but in the hidden man (generically speaking) of the heart, he harbored something against God that caused his heart to be closed.
When looking for the next king of Israel, Samuel looked at David’s brother as a possible candidate, but the Lord told the prophet,
“But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges people differently from humans. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.”
Disappointments may cause you to close your heart to God; in which case, you miss what he has for you.
OR,
As in Zechariah’s case, God’s plan is so important that he uses you despite yourself.
Either way, your heart plays a key role in shaping your life.
Mary was curious, which meant her heart was open to the supernatural. Gabriel’s greeting caught her attention. Although I cannot prove this, I believe his greeting intrigued Mary, which caused her to learn more.
When your heart is open to God and the things of God, you can see the impossible.
Jesus told the Father of the demon-possessed son,
“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23 New International Version
In other words, an open heart is a believing heart, which means impossible things become possible.
Zechariah did not believe in his heart; Mary said, I’m all in.
The Bible does not say why Zechariah’s heart was closed. Perhaps it was the years of unanswered prayer for children (which is a lesson in itself), but it is a powerful lesson on why you must guard your heart, keeping it free from hurtful unbelief.
Gabriel gladly answered Mary’s questions, satisfying her curiosity.
Do not miss how powerful this small portion of scripture is in the development of your close personal relationship with God.
He wants a relationship with us. Mary lacked understanding about the situation, and God (through Gabriel) answered her questions.
You might say it isn’t that easy, but it’s actually easier than having an angel talk to you (though not as awesome).
The Bible has the answer, and God the Holy Spirit knows where it is. Developing a relationship with him positions you to hear his voice and understand his promptings to turn to a scripture.
Someone has said if you wake up in the middle of the night and notice the numbers on your clock, (say, 3:05) you should ask the Lord what book of the Bible are you directing me to. You might be impressed to turn to Proverbs 3:5 and find,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
The point is, God will speak to you when your heart is open to hear him.
Zechariah watched in silence as God’s plan unfolded; Mary proclaimed the blessing of the Lord.
Zechariah had nine months of silence to deal with his heart issues. Sometimes the consequences of our actions can have a heavy price.
When you grasp the significance of God’s plan unfolding in your life, you recognize the importance of an open heart.
You should also not resent the consequences of your actions if (or when) He (the Lord) corrects you.
Zechariah was not being punished for his unbelief; he was being disciplined. You may say that is semantics, but it is not.
Punishment implies guilt, while discipline implies correction.
Punishment is given for doing wrong, while discipline is given (out of love) to ensure it does not happen again.
God the Father loves us enough to correct us—even if it is a costly correction.
Mary, on the other hand, finds herself on an amazing adventure. While visiting her cousin Elisabeth, she (at the prompting of God the Holy Spirit) proclaims the Lord’s blessing.
Called The Magnificat, or Song of Mary,
“And Mary said, I’m bursting with God-news;
I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened – I’m the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
The God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him.
He bared his arm and showed his strength, scattered the bluffing braggarts.
He knocked tyrants off their high horses, pulled victims out of the mud.
The starving poor sat down to a banquet; the callous rich were left out in the cold.
He embraced his chosen child, Israel; he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
It’s exactly what he promised, beginning with Abraham and right up to now.”
Luke 1:46-54 The Message
Consider the reality of the contrast.
Zechariah’s closed heart versus Mary’s open heart.
Zechariah’s silent correction, versus Mary’s jubilant proclamation.
The choice is yours, and it begins with your heart.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23 New International Version
Humanity has entered a time of historical proportions, and being close to God will mean the difference between finding spiritual freedom and deepening spiritual bondage
Stay close.