Ephesians 5:25-33
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her”. This is setting the bar awfully high. Most guys point at the wife’s lack of submission. However, if a man were loving her, as he should, she would be eager to submit.
Jesus’ life on earth was a rescue mission. We were guilty of sin without hope of fixing the mess on our own. Jesus provided the only possible way out. That is one way in which He gave Himself up for us. It’s as if He stepped in front of the bus for us. While the cross was a “point in time” rescue, the entirety of His life was heading towards the cross. Many of us would die for our wives, but could we live for them? It’s much more difficult to put ourselves aside on a daily basis. This doesn’t mean we don’t count, but our problem isn’t about us not getting our turn.
In addition to providing redemption, He trained His disciples and through them birthed the church. It’s like He was the charter member; He started the club. His leadership motivates millions to join and follow. I love being a christian and part of the church. I am choosing to follow. Our creed and His empowering make life amazing. Just as I want to follow and be a part of Him, so our wives would want to follow this kind of leadership.
“That He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless.” This doesn’t mean we get to be the critic. We are trying to elevate her. She is our champion. Like a coach working with an athlete, so we are rooting for her to be her absolute best.
Lord, help us to love our wives like You loved the church. You did so at the cross and every day leading up to it.