It is a faithful saying: for if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him. 2 Timothy 2:11
In 1 Samuel 22, we read of a group of people who were in distress, in debt, and discontented. They don’t sound at first mention to be a very good company to associate with. But this particular group of people, several hundred in number, had one thing in common: they knew where the future king of Israel was in hiding, and they determined to cast in their lot with him. Perhaps they made their way to the cave Adullam because they had nowhere else to go. Perhaps they were looking for adventure. Perhaps they were in active rebellion against King Saul’s administration. For whatever reason, this unlikely band gathered and presented themselves to David in the cave, permanently shutting themselves off from any association with Saul. David had a place for those willing to recognize his right to the throne and willing to devote their lives to his cause. Just as the Lord Jesus has a place for those who are willing to die to this world and live with Him.
Actually, our text doesn’t speak about being dead to the world, although that is implied. It speaks about being dead with Christ. But, you say, the Lord Jesus is not dead. Very true; He lives in the power of an endless life. But as far as the Jews who rejected Him and the Romans who crucified Him, He was dead. And as far as the world around us today, the religious and secular world alike, He is dead, irrelevant to their lives and plans. And it is into this death of rejection, execution, irrelevance, and apathy of the world that the Lord Jesus bids us to come. If those who were in distress, in debt, and discontented were to associate themselves with David, they must do so in the cave Adullam. It was a place of rejection, a place of being set aside and despised. But a little band came, accepting the rejection and the shame that the rest of Israel would heap upon them. A little band gathers itself today to the Lord Jesus, willing to endure the rejection and shame that the world would heap upon us. Just like David’s faithful band, we will have to give up much to take up our station beneath the cross of Christ. There are many things that we cannot take along with us into our cave Adullam. There are friends we must leave behind, plans that we must abandon, desires that we must cast aside if we are to align ourselves with David’s greater Son. What will make all of these sacrifices worthwhile?
Recall how many of those who fled to Adullam went on to become David’s mighty men. For these men, being able to fight for David’s righteous cause was reward enough. They experienced the thrill of victory and achievement under David’s command, and they appreciated the delight of David’s company in the cave. And when the battles and struggles had ended and David sat in triumph on the throne in Jerusalem, they received their commendations and rewards for serving him. There are great rewards today to be serving our King, to experience the joy of knowing that the One Who has delivered us from our distress, debts and discontentment is with us. There was no question among David’s men that he would one day be victorious. And there can be no question in our minds and hearts that our King will be enthroned. There is also no question that those who are willing to die with him in this world will enjoy the fullness of the rewards of eternal life with Him in the Glory.
We lose nothing by dying with Christ here, because we gain all by living with Him forever. – Jim MacIntosh