April 28, 2021
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Eph 5:31-33
This passage is commonly read at wedding ceremonies. Paul’s counsel provides wise advice about how to build intimacy and strength through a Christ-centered marriage. As explained in prior verses, the husband is to sacrificially love (agape) his wife as Christ has the church. The wife is to show respect to the husband as the church is to revere its Bridegroom. Hence, this mysterious correlation between spouses and the church when lived out as God intends becomes a testimony to onlookers. In other words, Christ-centered marriages are gospeller marriages. It’s a high calling that demands much of us, but then it’s a small price to pay for the one who gave his all for us.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
Leave a Reply