For a description of the Year 2 (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Luke 1
What limitation made Zechariah hesitate to believe the angel’s message? The same angel – Gabriel – appeared to both Zechariah and to Mary with an incredible promise for each of them. The angel promised both a child out of unlikely circumstances. Zechariah’s wife was barren and they were both old. Mary was a virgin. How could either of them bear a child? Both Zechariah and Mary questioned Gabriel. But Zechariah was silenced because of his unbelief, while Mary was simply answered. Why?
My go-to answer here is that God knows our hearts. He knew exactly what prompted the question from each party. If we look beyond the questions, we too can see some differences in what the two were saying. The first thing Gabriel said to Zechariah was, “’Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.’” (Luke 1:13). When Gabriel, sent directly from God, came to personally tell Zechariah of the answer to his prayer, Zechariah questioned. Did he ever really believe that God would answer his prayer? Or that He could? The promise to Mary, on the other hand, came completely unexpected.
We can also see a difference in their questions. Zechariah was looking for assurance, as if standing in the presence of God’s angel was not enough. Mary was simply trying to understand. I love how The Message translation highlights this difference. Zechariah asked, “Do you expect me to believe this?” (Luke 1:18) while Mary simply said, “But how?” (Luke 1:34). She did not, like Zechariah, doubt that it would happen, she just couldn’t wrap her head around the how.
Ultimately, this comparison between Zechariah’s and Mary’s response to Gabriel’s message tells me that we do not need to believe God’s word for it to happen. As Gabriel said, God’s words “will come true at their appointed time” (Luke 1:20b), “For no word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:37). We don’t need to believe it, but we are sure better off if we do.
Gen. 1-2
What does it mean to be created in the image of God? This is an interesting question. There is certainly a lot that we could infer about being created in the image of God from reading through scripture. And I am curious as to whether or not the Hebrew words translated as “image” and “likeness” would render any additional meaning. But the truth is, the text here does not really give a very in-depth answer to that question. One thing it does say is, “so that they may rule over…” all of the other living creatures. (Gen. 1:26). As God rules over all of creation, so we rule over all other living creatures.
I also think there is a lot of significance to the mention of male and female in stating that we were created in God’s image. Woman was created because “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’” (Gen. 2:18). God fashioned her from a part of the man’s own flesh and bone and gave her to him to form an intimate union. Just as God created man in His own image, I think He formed this special relationship in the image of His relationship with us. He put a part of Himself – His Spirit – into us so that we could have an intimate union with Him.
Ps. 1
In what ways are the righteous and wicked contrasted? The wicked strive to be like or to gain the approval of other men. The righteous delight in God and His ways. Two different paths with two different ends. “The way of the wicked leads to destruction” (Ps. 1:6b). There will be nothing to show of them or their efforts in the end. But because “the LORD watches over the way of the righteous” (Ps. 1:6a), they will find life and purpose, not just at the end of the road, but all along the way.