“How shall I know this?” (Luke 1:18)
Bible Reading: Luke 1:18-20
The sudden appearance of the angel and the specific nature of his promises should have been enough to convince Zechariah that what he said was true. But they were not.
Instead, he said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years” (Luke 1:18). His words reflect not simply confusion over how such a thing might happen. They express unbelief that it could. “How shall I know that these things will come to pass,” he asks. He is not convinced of the good news.
The natural impossibility of the idea wins out. He is an old man, and his wife “advanced in years.” They are beyond this thing happening to them, especially after a lifetime of being unable to have children. Zechariah lets the obstacles of nature win out over the promises of grace.
The angel’s response is first to identify himself and then to give Zechariah a sign that he might believe. “I am Gabriel,” he says. “I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news” (v. 19). Twice in the book of Daniel (Daniel 8:16, 9:21) mention is made of this heavenly messenger, Gabriel. He describes himself here as one who “stands in the presence of God.” That points to a place of special honour among the heavenly hosts. Further, he says that he was specifically “sent” to speak this good news to Zechariah. He was on a divine errand.
To doubt the word of such a one is to doubt God. That was the seriousness of Zechariah’s unbelief. And on account of it, he is to be “silent and unable to speak” until the day the things promised took place (v. 20). Zechariah had asked how he might know the things spoken of were true. Here he is given a sign, in effect.
But it is a sign carrying with it an element of discipline. It will be a judgement upon him because, as the angel said, “you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their time” (v. 20). Zechariah’s unbelief would not stop the promise and purpose of God from being accomplished. But he would be the loser, suffering months of enforced silence.
There are times when God’s promises seem too great to be possibly true. Sometimes that is because they are beyond what we could imagine happening. At other times – as in this case – the human or natural obstacles seem to be just too great. Later, as we shall see, Mary the mother-to-be of Jesus is given even greater promises. While they create within her perplexity over how they will be fulfilled, she does not let that perplexity slide into unbelief. There is a difference between the two things.
We must empty ourselves of our own wisdom and learn to trust God’s promises entirely if we are to discover the full life of faith possible in God’s kingdom.
Closing Thoughts:
- Are there promises in God’s Word that you struggle to embrace as true?
- Do your own frailties sometimes limit what you believe God can do for or through you?