Scripture
Zechariah 12:10, 13:1-2 (ESV)
...I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn...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. And on that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, so that they shall be remembered no more. And also I will remove from the land the prophets and the spirit of uncleanness.
AI Prompt
Jesus Christ on the cross with a vivid representation of water flowing throughout the composition, enhancing the abstract quality with a stronger emphasis on the water's movement. Integrate the figure of Jesus and the cross more deeply into the flowing water, using a spectrum of blues, whites, and subtle greens to depict the water's purity and energy. The water's flow should weave around and through the cross, symbolizing a continuous stream of life, renewal, and cleansing. This scene aims to capture both the solemnity of the moment and the transformative essence of water, blending traditional imagery with a modern, abstract interpretation.
Devotional Reflection
The cross of Christ is both a word of law and a word of gospel. We see both words reflected in this passage from Zechariah. First, the word of law. Through Zechariah, God speaks to his people about a time when he will come to them as their true shepherd only to be despised, rejected, and pierced by his own people. Yet, when God pours out his Spirit to awaken their hearts and open their eyes to the truth of what they have done--they weep. In once sense, this was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the apostles and the crowd was "cut to the heart" when they heard Peter proclaim "you crucified the Messiah--the one whom God anointed and sent to save you." And in a broader sense, this experience still happens whenever the law of God (the righteousness God demands of us) is preached and sinners' hearts are accused and consciences terrified because they recognize that they have rebelled against the will of their creator and Lord. But the law is not God's final word. The cross also proclaims a word of gospel. Zechariah's prophecy does not end with the people weeping over the realization of their guilt--rather, it proceeds to proclaim a day when the Lord himself will open up a fountain from which will flow waters of cleansing and forgiveness so that his people may be purified on their guilt. We see this also being fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. In response to Peter's preaching, the people in the crowd asked him, "What shall we do?" Peter's response: "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." On that day, God opened up a fountain of forgiveness and grace that has never stopped flowing since. In the waters of baptism God speaks a word of gospel. He makes us a promise that all our sins against him--past, present, and future--are forgiven. Washed away in that fountain.