Zechariah

Zechariah 13: The spring and the struck shepherd

Begin in prayer

Before we read of the spring for sin and the shepherd who is struck, please bring our family to the LORD in prayer. Ask Him to show us the cleansing He gives.

Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 12:3

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You open a spring for sin and strike Your own shepherd, and help us to see Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The LORD says that in that day a spring will be opened to David’s house and the people of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. He will cut off the names of the idols, and cause the prophets and the spirit of impurity to pass out of the land. Anyone who still prophesies lies in the LORD’s name will hear from his own father and mother, “You must die.” Then the LORD says, “Awake, sword, against my shepherd, and against the man who is close to me.” He says, “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered,” and He will turn His hand against the little ones. Two parts of all the land will be cut off and die, and the third will be left. He will refine the third part like silver, test them like gold, and hear them when they call on His name.

As you read Zechariah 13, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD opens a spring to cleanse His people from sin, and He strikes His own shepherd.

Chapter 13 opens with good news after the mourning of chapter 12, in the words “In that day” (verse 1). A spring is opened to David’s house and the people of Jerusalem, “for sin and for uncleanness” (verse 1). In a dry land a spring gives water to drink and to wash, and this one cleanses what people cannot clean themselves. The LORD also cuts off idols and false prophets, because lies spoken in His name are lies against Him (verses 2 and 3). Then comes a hard word, “Awake, sword, against my shepherd” (verse 7). The shepherd is called “the man who is close to me,” so the LORD is not striking a stranger (verse 7). Jesus said that all His disciples would be scattered, as it was written (Mark 14 verse 27). Two parts of the land are cut off, and the third is brought through the fire like silver and gold (verses 8 and 9). Those left will call on His name, and the LORD will say, “It is my people” (verse 9).

How does Zechariah 13 show us that the LORD opens a spring to cleanse His people from sin, and that He strikes His own shepherd?

The LORD opens a spring to cleanse sin and uncleanness.

The LORD promises a spring for David’s house and the people of Jerusalem (verse 1). It is for sin and for uncleanness, which people cannot wash away themselves. The LORD also says He will cut off the names of the idols, so that they are remembered no more (verse 2). He will remove the false prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. Lies in the LORD’s name are so grave that a false prophet’s own parents will say, “You must die” (verse 3).

The LORD commands that the sword awake against His shepherd.

The LORD says, “Awake, sword, against my shepherd, and against the man who is close to me” (verse 7). He commands, “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered” (verse 7). Jesus told His disciples that this was written, and that they would be scattered (Mark 14 verse 27). He also says He will turn His hand against the little ones (verse 7).

The LORD refines the third part, and they call on His name.

Two parts of all the land will be cut off and die, but the third will be left (verse 8). The LORD will bring the third part into the fire (verse 9). He will refine them as silver is refined, and test them like gold (verse 9). Then they will call on His name, and He will hear them (verse 9). He says, “It is my people,” and they answer that the LORD is their God.

Memorise

In that day there will be a spring opened to David’s house and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.

Zechariah 13:1

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where can I go to be washed from my sin?

The LORD opened a spring “for sin and for uncleanness,” and He said, “Awake, sword, against my shepherd.” On the night He was arrested, Jesus told His disciples that these words were written about Him (Mark 14 verse 27).

The sword of God’s judgment fell on Jesus, the shepherd. He was struck on the cross for His people, and His death fully washes away their sin. He was raised, and His people are not lost.

Come to the spring. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. He will forgive and cleanse everyone who comes to Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus is the shepherd who was struck, and that His death cleanses His people. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Parents, please explain verses 3 to 6 in your own words.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for opening a spring for sin, and for the shepherd who was struck, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so invite each one to speak to Him.

Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”

Matthew 26:31-32

Lord God, thank You for opening a spring to cleanse sin. Thank You that Jesus, the shepherd, was struck for His people and raised again. Please lead each one of us to turn from sin and trust Him, and help us to call on Your name this week. Amen.