30 July 2012; Luke 1:5-38

30 July 2012; Luke 1:5-38

The similarity
2 persons in this chapter the angle Gabriel spoke to - Zechariah and Mary
2 foretelling - the birth of a baby boy
2 impossibility - Zechariah and his wife were advance in age; Mary was a virgin


The contrast
2 answers - How shall I know this? How will it be?
Zechariah wanted a child, but when told he would have one, he has question.
Mary has question too.

But Zechariah answer has been known in the case of Abraham. Mary virgin birth was new. The former doubt (v20) and the later - v38 - let it be to me according to your words.

Similar situations, different reaction - God looks at the heart and regardless the birth took place.
But one chosen was righteous (v6) and the other favoured (v27). So how is the slection made?

It is God - chosen by His grace.

My Story
Have I met an angel and had a conservation? Probably no.

But do I doubt their existence? No

I have encountered with spirits. When I was still a secondary school student, I played this game called saucer spirit. A group of us each with a finger on the saucer will ask the spirit a question. the saucer is placed on a piece of paper with words, letters and numbers. The saucer moves and with an indicator on the saucer, it answer (quite accurate) the questions. Doubt? No, whoever suspect whoever moves the finger will be prompt to take away the finger. The saucer still moves. To an extend, we later proof it true using a blackboard duster! That was when I was still not a believer.

After I became a believer, there was this occassion that I was prompted to stand up. I was swept away by the river with a student grasping my hand pulling me along.

So, is it the holy spirit who prompt or an angel who speaks? Regardless - God chooses to save and I have no doubt about that.