A Cool Creek and Cleansing

 O.T. #2324  "A Cool Creek and Cleansing"

Nov. 18, 2022

Zechariah 13

In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. (verse 1)

LET IT GLOW

I haven't waded in a city fountain on a hot summer's day, but I have waded in a cool, spring-fed creek on my grandfather's land. How relieving it is. Especially when I can swim in it. I recall when I was a child, my dad going down to the creek with us and him sitting in the creek to bring relief to his aching partial leg. He lost part of it below the knee of his left leg in WWII. He stepped on a mine in France when fighting the Germans and had it cut off in the field. Summertime was really hard on him because blisters would develop on the end of his stumpy leg since he had to wear a thick sock over it in order to wear a wooden leg to walk. (As a child, I saw the pain he endured for his country for the rest of his life.) 

Zechariah takes us to the end times. In delivering Israel from her enemies, the Lord will ultimately preserve the nation and restore them spiritually. We read of the Jews repenting of their sins and their mourning over the crucifixion of the Messiah, Jesus Christ by the Jews. (chapter 12)

Now the prophet is speaking about the cleansing of Israel from their idolatry. Both the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah spoke of this, but they would not obey back then:

Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. (Isa, 1:16 NKJV)

O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. (Jer. 4:14 NKJV)

But now, in response to Israel's repentance and faith, the Lord will wash them clean. This forgiveness is part of the new covenant that God promised to His people. (Jeremiah 31:31-34) They could have used water to cleanse their outward parts, but only will a sinful heart be cleansed by the blood of the Savior. The sacrifice of Christ atones for sin.

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for whole world. (1 John 2:2 NKJV)

Jesus' blood is the cleansing fountain that washes away our sins. Have you been washed in the blood of the Lamb?

[Resource: The Wiersbe Bible Commentary]

LET IT GROW

God has opened up a fountain to you through the Lord Jesus. He invites you to come on in and enjoy His love. don't stand on the edges of His joy. He has washed away your sin and you, like a child, can be free and full of life. [Diamonds in the Dust, by Joni Eareckson Tada]

LET IT GO

Jesus, cleanse me from sin and wash away all my impurity. 

Fill me with freedom and joy of all that Your love gives.

Help me let go of self-centeredness and be Your servant who loves You, Your Word, and others.