12th Station of the Anointed — Resurrection

The return of the king to Jerusalem and to the throne in 2nd Samuel 20.3 — in the context of 19.8 to 20.22 — is David’s ‘resurrection’ after he willingly had gone into exile while his own son conducted an ill-fated insurrection. It was a hard-earned resurrection that came at the cost of the death of his son, the violation of 10 of his concubines (not unlike Jesus’s 10 disciples who would be martyred), and even afterward he and his followers would have to contend in order to fully establish the kingdom.

Tim Keller says, “When people tell me that they once were believing Christians but now have rejected it all, I often ask them (after long, close listening) why they originally believed Jesus rose from the dead and how they came to decide that he now didn't. They usually say it's a helpful question.” We have to be ready to contend for people to appreciate Christ’s resurrection and thereby enter into his kingdom.

I do not appreciate the Resurrection. To the extent that I do not suffer and avoid others’ suffering, to the extent I have not owned my own sin, to the extent I have not died to self — I fail to appreciate the Resurrection of the Messiah. May we all grow deeper day by day in our appreciation of what has been accomplished for us this day so that we cannot but help shouting with evermore joy and boldness: Christ is risen!