Lesson 2: Washing at the Cross
Questions 3 and 4
The Fountain in Zechariah
The Timing of the Fountain
Zechariah was written around 500 B.C. to the people of Judah who had returned from 70 years of exile in Babylon, but notice how our passage points forward to a certain “day” when a fountain would be opened. Reading in context, we see that “day” is defined in Zechariah 12:10. It was a “day” when “an only child” would be “pierced.” This is a reference to God giving His “only Son” (John 3:16) to come to this world and suffer on a cross, being pierced in His hands and feet and side for the forgiveness of our sins.
And so, this certain “day” was when an “only child” would be “pierced” and this piercing would open a fountain.
Zechariah gives further evidence as to the timing of this only child that would be pierced and provide a fountain of cleansing:
"Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!” declares the Lord Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.”
Zechariah 13:7 (NIV)
The timing of when the only child would be pierced to open a fountain is when the Shepherd would be struck. This is when Jesus, the “Great Shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20), was struck down and hung up on a cross, there to die for us (see Matthew 26:31).
The Effects of the Fountain
And let’s notice what things would be accomplished at the opening of that fountain:
Question 3. According to Zechariah 13:1-2, what things would happen when God opened a fountain?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Friend, look at all that would be accomplished on the day the only child was pierced and the Shepherd was struck! This piercing would open a fountain of cleansing where people could come and wash and be cleansed from all sin and impurity. This fountain would also remove idolatry. Idolatry is simply the worshipping of something or someone other than the real God. Pornography and sexual impurity both are idolatry (Colossians 3:5), but this fountain washes it all away! And this fountain would also banish the spirit of impurity from the land. YES!
The Hope of the Fountain
Such is the powerful cleansing of the fountain, friend! Do you want this kind of washing? This deep cleansing of the soul that washes our sin away entirely and removes idolatry from the land of our hearts?
Question 4. Do you want this kind of washing? Share your thoughts.
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.