IN THAT DAY THERE SHALL BE A FOUNTAIN OPENED
The prophet spoke of a day that would change everything—not a day marked by political triumph, nor by military victory, but by mercy. In Zechariah 13:1, the Word of God declares that in that day there would be a fountain opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. A fountain—not a trickle, not a ritual basin, not a temporary provision—but a flowing, living source sufficient to wash what no law could scrub and no ceremony could erase.
Sin leaves a stain deeper than skin. Uncleanness is not merely outward defilement; it is inward disorder—a heart turned from God, a will bent toward self, a conscience burdened. The prophets understood that Israel’s deepest problem was not Rome, nor Babylon, nor any earthly oppressor; it was the corruption within. And so the promise was not first of a sword, but of water.
That fountain was opened when Christ was lifted up.
When the soldier pierced His side, blood and water flowed—a sign that the cleansing had begun. The fountain is not a metaphor only; it is redemption made visible. At Calvary the Holy One bore our uncleanness so that we might be washed. The apostle reminds us that we were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11). The water is not earned; it is given. It does not merely cover; it cleanses.
Notice the language: “a fountain opened.” It was not partially uncovered; it was opened. Opened by God Himself. Opened decisively. Opened publicly. Opened for sinners. The fountain does not run dry because its source is not human resolve but divine mercy. It is not fed by our worthiness but by His sacrifice.
And yet the fountain must be entered.
Water can flow freely and still leave the thirsty unrefreshed if they will not come. The promise is wide, but it calls for repentance and faith. The same cross that provides cleansing also confronts us with the seriousness of our sin. Grace does not excuse uncleanness; it washes it away. The Lord does not say, “Remain as you are.” He says, “Come and be made clean.”
In a world that minimizes sin and redefines uncleanness, this ancient promise still stands. There is a fountain open. Not a philosophy, not a political movement, not self-improvement—but Christ Himself. He is the living water. He is the cleansing stream. He is the mercy of God flowing toward the guilty.
And in that day—which dawned at Calvary and continues even now—the invitation remains.
Come to Jesus
Come to the fountain.
Wash.
Be clean.
BDD
