Good News to Declare

Melissa Logsdon – February 18, 2025 2 Comments

During this past Sunday morning’s worship service, after just singing the song “We Declare”, Laura shared something she had learned about the word “declare”. She learned that whether you declare something or not, doesn’t change the fact of what is.

So, yes, we declare that the Kingdom of God is here among us. But whether or not we believe it, whether or not we declare it, the fact remains the Kingdom of God is here.

This thought has not left my mind since Sunday (thank you, Laura!).

So, this morning as I was praying about what book of the Bible to work through next (since I had recently finished reading through Hebrews), I sensed God leading me to the gospel of Luke. Which definitely is ripe with descriptions of the Kingdom of God. But, to which I said something in objection about how I had just read it during Advent Season. Especially the first 2 chapters! So I thought maybe I could just skip those parts and jump into the story once the “real action” gets going in Jesus’ ministry. To which, I felt God leading me to go ahead and start at the beginning…and that is where today’s lesson comes from–Luke 1 & 2.

There are so many great lessons wrapped up in these first two chapters of Luke. Stories of people having divine encounters and living out their lives of faith. Today, I want to turn your attention to two people: Zachariah & Mary. Two people similar in many ways but with one notable distinction. They both get a special visit from the angel, Gabriel. They both love God. They both worship God. They both received a message from God of an upcoming miracle baby to be born to them. But, here’s how they differ: they respond in two very different ways–one believed, the other did not.

Zachariah, a priest, was in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime experience of taking his turn serving in the sanctuary. And, in that place, God sends Gabriel to tell Zachariah that his wife, who is very old and infertile, will have a baby. Zachariah’s response was one of unbelief. He couldn’t fathom that God could or would work such a miracle in their lives. 

Mary, a young girl, engaged to be married, was living her normal everyday life. And, in that place, God sends Gabriel to tell Mary that she will miraculously conceive a child that will be the savior to her people. Mary’s response was one of belief. She believed that God could and would work such a miracle in her life.

Two different responses to the good news brought to them. One of belief. One of disbelief. But notice what happens. To both–it happened just as the angel declared it would. Whether or not they believed.

Gabriel responded to Zachariah’s unbelief: “Every word I’ve spoken to you will come true on time–God’s Time.” (Luke 1:20 MSG)

However, in the waiting, they had two very different experiences. Zachariah went home mute. Mary went and shared her good news with her cousin Elizabeth (Zachariah’s now very pregnant wife). Mary celebrated with Elizabeth what God was doing in their lives and they praised God together.

Which reminds us that we have a choice. When God speaks to us, we can choose to believe or not. And, then, while we wait to see God’s word come true, we have an opportunity to celebrate with expectancy, or remain silent.

Another great result in both situations, both of these births spurred many people to praise God for what was occurring–the kingdom of God arriving here among them. 

In wrapping up, here’s a part of Zachariah’s prophetic words, declared once he got his speech back:

“So [now] we can worship [God] without a care in the world, made holy before [God] as long as we live.” (Luke 1:74-75 MSG)

Whether we declare it or not, this remains true. For me, I believe it is good news to declare!–Melissa Logsdon, NCF Associate Pastor