“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Luke 1:38

Read Luke 1:8-38

I grew up near Pittsburgh and always heard about “the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers” to form the Ohio River. When you stand in Point Park, where the rivers all meet, it is cool and ordinary at the same time. There are a few places where two rivers meet and never mix. As in the picture above, you can see the unique colors of the rivers that carry different sediment. There is a thin line separating each color.

There is a fine line between doubt and disbelief.

Chapter One of the Gospel of Luke introduces us to Zechariah and Mary. Both are key figures in the birth narratives. Both have encounters with the angel, Gabriel. Zechariah and Mary are both told about an impending miraculous birth. Interestingly enough, both have similar responses recorded in Luke. Zechariah says, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” Mary replies to Gabriel, “How will this be since I am a virgin.”

Luke implies that while their responses are similar, Mary responds from a place of humble obedience, while Zechariah responds with disbelief. They have the same responses but very different postures of their hearts. It is possible that Zechariah allowed his lifetime of disappointment of no offspring to allow his doubt to develop into disbelief. In her humility, Mary told the angel, “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

There is a thin line between doubt and disbelief. While doubt can be a catalyst for deeper faith, disbelief can harden our hearts to the things of God. The good news is that God was with Zechariah and Mary. God is with you today as well.

God of miracles,
We come to you today filled with questions and requests.
Some of us need to know you are with us,
While others need a miracle.
Help our hearts to remain soft and obedient to your Word.
Fill us with your grace.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.