Paradox: derived from the Greek..."para" meaning differing from and "dokein" meaning to think. In other words, differing from human reasoning, intuition, or expectations.
The lion and the lamb? Fully God and fully man?
The story of Luke chapter one... Zechariah, a priest, enters into the temple to burn incense. He enters carrying a heavy burden for God's people. The angel, Gabriel, meets with him there. Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, was barren and both of them were way past the reasonable age of conceiving a child. Despite all that, Gabriel, presents the paradox. "You and Elizabeth will conceive and bear a son and he will prepare the way for the Lord."
A bit later, Gabriel visits Elizabeth's cousin, a young virgin named, Mary. "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus."
But this isn't reasonable. I'm a virgin."
The story of Christ seems to wind around a labyrinth of paradox's... so many circumstances that defy reason and expectation. I can't imagine being Zechariah or Elizabeth visited by Gabriel with a message fresh from the Lord himself. And being told I would participate in such a large role in the redemption of the people I've been so burdened for.
And if I were Mary? I can't imagine quietly containing my questions and emotions that would have come with Gabriel's words.
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