Zechariah 13 Devotional

A Fountain Opened at Cost

““On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the people of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.”Zechariah 13:1 (BSB)

The day that began with mourning in chapter 12 continues with cleansing. God promises to open a fountain for David's house and Jerusalem's people, to wash them from sin and impurity (13:1). He will remove idols and false prophets from the land (13:2-6).

Then God gives a startling command. He calls a sword to awake against his own shepherd, the man who stands close beside him, and to strike him so that the sheep scatter (13:7). On the night of his arrest, Jesus quoted this verse to warn his disciples that they would all fall away (Mark 14:27). Afterward a remnant is brought through fire and refined like silver and gold, until they call on God and he answers, naming them his people (13:8-9). In Jesus the two halves of this chapter meet. The Shepherd is struck, and the fountain is opened, for John says the blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7). Because he was struck, the scattered can be washed and gathered back.

To think about: What sin do you need to bring to the fountain God has opened, instead of trying to wash it away yourself?