Zec 13 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-6 In the time mentioned at the close of the foregoing chapter, a fountain would be opened to the rulers and people of the Jews, in which to wash away their sins. Even the atoning blood of Christ, united with his sanctifying grace. It has hitherto been closed to the unbelieving nation of Israel; but when the Spirit of grace shall humble and soften their hearts, he will open it to them also. This fountain opened is the pierced side of Christ. We are all as an unclean thing. Behold a fountain opened for us to wash in, and streams flowing to us from that fountain. The blood of Christ, and God's pardoning mercy in that blood, made known in the new covenant, are a fountain always flowing, that never can be emptied. It is opened for all believers, who as the spiritual seed of Christ, are of the house of David, and, as living members of the church, are inhabitants of Jerusalem. Christ, by the power of his grace, takes away the dominion of sin, even of beloved sins. Those who are washed in the fountain opened, as they are justified, so they are sanctified. Souls are brought off from the world and the flesh, those two great idols, that they may cleave to God only. The thorough reformation which will take place on the conversion of Israel to Christ, is here foretold. False prophets shall be convinced of their sin and folly, and return to their proper employments. When convinced that we are gone out of the way of duty, we must show the truth of our repentance by returning to it again. It is well to acknowledge those to be friends, who by severe discipline are instrumental in bringing us to a sight of error; for faithful are the wounds of a friend, #Pr 27:6|. And it is always well for us to recollect the wounds of our Saviour. Often has he been wounded by professed friends, nay, even by his real disciples, when they act contrary to his word.

‏ Zechariah 13

* The Fountain for the remission of sins, The conviction of the

false prophets. (1-6) The death of Christ, and the saving of a

remnant of the people. (7-9)1-6 In the time mentioned at the close of the foregoing

chapter, a fountain would be opened to the rulers and people of

the Jews, in which to wash away their sins. Even the atoning

blood of Christ, united with his sanctifying grace. It has

hitherto been closed to the unbelieving nation of Israel; but

when the Spirit of grace shall humble and soften their hearts,

he will open it to them also. This fountain opened is the

pierced side of Christ. We are all as an unclean thing. Behold a

fountain opened for us to wash in, and streams flowing to us

from that fountain. The blood of Christ, and God's pardoning

mercy in that blood, made known in the new covenant, are a

fountain always flowing, that never can be emptied. It is opened

for all believers, who as the spiritual seed of Christ, are of

the house of David, and, as living members of the church, are

inhabitants of Jerusalem. Christ, by the power of his grace,

takes away the dominion of sin, even of beloved sins. Those who

are washed in the fountain opened, as they are justified, so

they are sanctified. Souls are brought off from the world and

the flesh, those two great idols, that they may cleave to God

only. The thorough reformation which will take place on the

conversion of Israel to Christ, is here foretold. False prophets

shall be convinced of their sin and folly, and return to their

proper employments. When convinced that we are gone out of the

way of duty, we must show the truth of our repentance by

returning to it again. It is well to acknowledge those to be

friends, who by severe discipline are instrumental in bringing

us to a sight of error; for faithful are the wounds of a friend,

#Pr 27:6|. And it is always well for us to recollect the wounds

of our Saviour. Often has he been wounded by professed friends,

nay, even by his real disciples, when they act contrary to his

word. 7-9 Here is a prophecy of the sufferings of Christ. God the

Father gave order to the sword of his justice to awake against

his Son, when he freely made his soul an offering for sin. As

God, he is called "my Fellow." Christ and the Father are one. He

is the Shepherd who was to lay down his life for the sheep. If a

Sacrifice, he must be slain, for without shedding of the

life-blood there was no remission. This sword must awake against

him, yet he had no sin of his own to answer for. It may refer to

the whole of Christ's sufferings, especially his agonies in the

garden and on the cross, when he endured unspeakable anguish

till Divine justice was fully satisfied. Smite the Shepherd, and

the sheep shall be scattered. This passage our Lord Jesus

declares was fulfilled, when all his disciples, in the night

wherein he was betrayed, forsook him and fled. It has, and shall

have its accomplishment, in the destruction of the corrupt and

hypocritical part of the professed church. Because of the sin of

the Jews in rejecting and crucifying Christ, and in opposing his

gospel, the Romans would destroy the greater part. But a remnant

would be saved. And if we are his people, we shall be refined as

gold; he will be God, and the end of all our trials and

sufferings will be praise, and honour, and glory, at the

appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.