Do You Question Faith or Do You Have Faith With Questions?

Doctor Luke is the only Gentile writer of the New Testament. He wrote the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. His insights as a Gentile, historian, and physician are unique. Many of the well-known events, parables, and miracles of Jesus are exclusive to Luke.

Luke gives us the details of the birth of John the Baptist and of Jesus. John’s parents, Zacharias and Elizabeth, were both descendants of Aaron, the first high priest. According to Luke 1:7, they were both advanced in years and Elizabeth was barren. When it came Zacharias’ turn to take the incense, fresh bread, and oil into the Holy Place in the Temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him there with the announcement that his prayers had been answered and that he and Elizabeth would have a son, 1:8 – 17.

More than that, their son would be the forerunner for the coming Messiah of God, prophesied by Malachi. The news must have overcome Zacharias. He responded to Gabriel by saying, “How can I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” There was something about his question that was not good. Gabriel rebuked him and disciplined him for what he said by telling him that he would be mute until the word would be fulfilled.

Zacharias came out of the Temple unable to share with anyone what had happened and was mute until Elizabeth gave birth to John, 1:57 – 79. When John was circumcised and named, Zacharias’ tongue was loosed, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and praised God with a powerful hymn celebrating the work of God and coming Messiah. He and Elizabeth must have sung this song often over their son while he was growing up.

Gabriel also visited Mary, according to Luke 1:26 – 38. The news Gabriel told Mary was that she would give birth to the Messiah and name Him Jesus. He would be the long-awaited Savior and promised Son of David. Mary’s response was very similar to Zacharias’ and yet very different. Mary said, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” This was similar to Zacharias’ response in that Mary also asked the question based on her age and condition. Zacharias had also asked how based upon his and Elizabeth’s age and condition.

And yet, Gabriel answered Mary without a rebuke by saying, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of the God…” 1:35. Mary could not have understood the answer she was given, but she responded by saying, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” 1:38. She may not have fully understood, but she did declare what she did know, she was a servant of God and trusted whatever He wanted to do in her life!

When she and Elizabeth later met, Elizabeth clarifies in 1:45 the difference between Mary and Zacharias. Elizabeth said, “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Mary had faith with her question, while Zacharias just had questions.

Everyone has questions, but not everyone has faith. Having questions is the only way to learn. It is not wrong to question, as long as you have faith. With faith, the answers to your questions will raise even more questions, but with faith those questions will keep growing you until you are able to understand the answers.

Zacharias had to learn this lesson the hard way. Mary learned the right way, the way of trusting, the way of faith. And faith pleases God, even when you have a lot of questions. Having faith with your questions is what it means to worship the Father in spirit and truth.