18 Zechariah asked the angel “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” Amen
Gabriel, the archangel of the Lord, was sent to deliver an important message to Zechariah and Mary. Since both recipients were neither expecting him nor the message He brought, they had a question each for him.
Mary asked in Luke 1: 34 “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”. That was a legitimate question that doesn’t challenge the abilities of God. It only seeks further clarity since we are mortals and limited in understanding. Our Father in heaven know this weakness and helps our faith.
Zechariah on the other hand, challenged the authenticity of the word. He asked “How can I be sure of this?” (Luke 1: 18a). That clause connotes a lot of mistrust. He has been a priest for so many years and has not heard a message like that. We could almost imagine him say ” I have known God so long I simply know how He operates and I can never be sure this is one of them. Could this actually be from God? How could I be sure?
The messenger of God was greatly disappointed. This is because Zechariah and his dear wife were actually praying for that miracle. He said “I am Gabriel, I stand in the presence of God and I have been sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. And now you will be SILENT until the day it happens
