Luke Chapter One : Looking Forward with Faith

I was reading Luke chapter one this morning and was struck by just how beautifully crafted and full of poetry it is. It chronicles a year of activity before the birth of Jesus, beginning with Zacharias entering the temple to fulfill the service of the priest burning incense. He’s doing exactly what he’s supposed to be doing, but ends up mute, unable to speak. Why? When the angel Gabriel appears to him to tell him his wife will finally bear them a son, and that through that son many will turn their hearts to God, Zacharias replies, “Whereby shall I know this?” One might have said, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it,’ or ‘give me a sign.’ Gabriel perceives the unbelief behind the words and Zacharias spends the next nine months communicating his needs through writing.

In direct contrast, Luke tells of Gabriel’s visit to Mary. When she is told she will bear the Savior, her reply is subtly different from that of the good old priest. She says, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” This reminds me of when the prophet Enos asks the Lord, “How is it done?” after receiving forgiveness for his sins. Neither response is of the ‘prove it to me’ variety, rather one of ‘I believe you, please help me understand.’

Everything turns out for Zacharias though. He certainly has time to think it over in the coming months. Instead of being bitter about the chastisement, he affirms his faith by following the instruction of the angel to name his son John, and his affliction is immediately healed.

Personally, I feel I’ve been more like Zacharias than Mary for most of my life, trying to do the right things, but carrying that ‘I’ll believe it when I see it’ attitude in many of my own personal trials. I’d like to be more like Mary, and be able to exclaim, “My soul doth magnify the Lord.”

In addition to the direct comparison of Zacharias and Mary’s stories, Luke includes some of the most beautiful and poetic exclamations. The ‘Magnificat’ (Mary’s utterance of joy and prophecy) has been set to music uncountable times, but the beautiful prophetic word of thanksgiving offered by Elizabeth and Zacharias are also striking. The angel Gabriel also makes poetic declarations of prophecy to both Zacharias and Mary.

At Christmastime, Luke chapter one is often passed over. In many readings, in homes, programs and churches, we often skip to the ‘good stuff’ in chapter two that directly relates to the birth of Christ. Sometimes there are time and attention constraints to be thought of, especially when dealing with children, but the experiences of Zacharias, Elizabeth and Mary add deep poignance in laying out the hopes, faith and thanksgiving of the people who were waiting for Christ to come, just as some today long for him to come again.