Did Gabriel Play Favorites?

Scheduled Reading: 
Matthew 1:1; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:1-80; John 1:1-18

Did you notice that both Zechariah and Mary had a questions for Gabriel following his startling birth announcement? Zechariah asked "How can I be certain of this since my barren wife and I am old..." and Mary asked "How can this be, since I am a virgin..." But did you also notice that Gabriel had two very different reactions to the similar questions? Zechariah heard from an indignant warrior angel who pronounced him mute from that moment until the moment the promise was to be fulfilled. Mary experienced a patient teacher who carefully explained what Mary needed to know. Perhaps this warrants a closer look.

What do the two questions imply?
  Zechariah's "how can I be certain..." demonstrates a lack of... well, certainty! Zechariah is not confident in either the accuracy of the message or the authenticity of the messenger. I can almost imagine Gabriel's incredulous reaction....
"Do you know who I am?? Was anyone else in here when you came in? Did you see me come in?? I am GABRIEL! HELLO! I have just been dispatched from the THRONE OF HEAVEN! ALMIGHTY GOD sent me to tell you this great news - and YOU are not CERTAIN as to whether I am for real???"

Compare that to Mary's "how will this happen?" Her question doesn't appear to be motivated from a skeptical heart. Instead, she implied that she was confident in the outcome. She was just perplexed as to how God was going to accomplish this in her. Regardless of her understanding, she was ready and willing to serve the Lord according to His will. Gabriel gave her what information she needed to know - information that would help her avoid her ancestor's mistake - - Abraham when he fathered Ishmael because he lost patience with the promise he believed by faith.

So what can we take away from this little noticed dichotomy? Never question God? Hardly. Both had questions. God has little patience for skeptical faith? That's probably more like it. Its not that we have to understand the HOW of everything God promises to do. But is that we are to be CERTAIN he WILL do everything He promises to do.