Proper cleansing

Proper cleansing
https://www.esv.org/Zech13:1–6
Week 18: 27/04/2023. Thu

Zechariah 13:1 “On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness. (ESV)

The ultimate proper cleansing must look to the cross. While Zechariah prophesied, believers today know and experience it. Proper cleansing, however, entails cutting off the false prophets, all of them.

False prophets (and the associated "uncleanness") do "speak lies" (13:3) and ultimately "deceive" (13:4). These might give the sense of healthiness and freedom, but are instead addictions and bondages.

Proper cleansing is a serious attitude, as depicted by parents to "pierce him through" (13:3). In today's local context, the law does not permit private executions of that kind. But it does mean parents of today not condoning the sins of their children by explaining them away.

If believers come together to do this on a bigger scale, the false prophets would then have little space to hide and continue to deceive. False prophets would be forced to discard the "hairy cloak" (prophet's attire, 13:4) and cover up tracks of pagan worship (13:6).

The difficult work of proper cleansing has been done by Jesus Christ. The rest of us need only to follow through and reap the benefits of His ultimate cleansing for sin on the cross. We give thanks and receive joyfully His pardon and cleansing, by faith.