Read Luke 1:5-38

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Notice the similarities between the angel's message to Zacharias and his message to Mary. He says to both of them:

1. Do not be afraid

2. You will have a son

3. You will name him ______________ (John/Jesus)

4. Then the angel spoke a prophesy about ______________ (John/Jesus)

5. The angel also gave both Zacharias and Mary a sign

   • Zacharias became mute—1:20 "And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place."​

   • Mary was told about Elizabeth—see 1:36-37​

The signs were given by the angel to authenticate his words. As you will see in later chapters of Luke, Jesus also performed signs to authenticate His words.

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Despite the similarities between the angel's messages, the response from Zacharias was very different from that of Mary. Notice that both Zacharias and Mary asked a question of the angel.

• Zacharias' question was an expression of doubt—1:18 "How will I know this for certain?" As a result, the sign he was given was also a bit of a punishment for not believing—see 1:20.

• Mary's question, on the other hand, was born out of curiosity about how these things could possibly take place. She immediately accepted her role as a servant of God.—1:38 "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." What an expression of faith and trust in God!