Journey to Ephesus

Day 22

'Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.'

Ephesians 5:21-33

I'll tell you the truth. When I first read this, I panicked. I had absolutely no idea what to write about! But I have prayed, and I believe that God will give me all the answers. But just in case what I do write is something you don't really think is important, just ignore it. God will guide you and give you the advice you need.

The main thing in this verse is marriage. I'm not really going to go into too much detail on the subject, but basically what it says is, when or if you get married, love your husband/wife. Don't cheat on them, and always give them what they deserve.

Back to the verse. The thing that stands out to me is the bit which reads: 'I am talking about Christ and the church.' Paul describes Christ and the Church being represented by a loving husband and wife. But what really does it mean? If you look up at the bible verse, you will see all the advice and ideas for a husband and wife. But if they are the advice and ideas for a husband and wife, they must be also about Christ and the Church!

Look closer. It says that the wife should submit herself to the husband - that means we should submit ourselves to Christ! Nothing new there, though, we already know that we should submit ourselves to God. Furthermore, it says that husbands should love their wives... just like how Christ loves the Church. And when it says about feeding and caring for your wife, well, Christ feeds and cares for the church, doesn't he? Our God is a provider - he will never abandon us and make us fend for ourselves. So really, the relationship between Christ and the Church is like one between a husband and wife. There are so many more examples of this in the passage, but I guess I would be boring you if I talked about every one. If you are curious, have a look and see what I mean.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank you for loving us. Thank you for love, so that we may love and be loved. Thank you for providing for us. Please help me to know that you are not separate from the church, but you are in fact, its 'husband'. I love you.

Amen