It's so easy to be a Christian when the Pastor comes over to your house, and sits on your couch, and talks to you about the Lord. NOW, shift in your mind to the way that you act when there is no-one looking, or knowing. Zechariah had made a serious mistake. Faced by the angel Gabriel, Zechariah, a life-long minister, had questioned the character of God . Now, Gabriel was God's mouthpiece.
People are like cameras .
Whatever they open up to, and expose themselves to, finds itself imprinted on the film of their souls. Sooner or later, that is the permanent image upon them. So I know a secret about Mary that I am about to share with you. Mary opened herself up to God, habitually exposing herself to His great character, and before you know it, Mary had a greatness of character that enabled God to choose this young, poor, female for the most important task that the world has ever known. Look with me a little more closely at verses 45-55.