Husbands

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. – Ephesians 5.25-28

So now it is the turn of the husband. What is hs role. Obviously, we saw yesterday, he is the boss, right? The wife has to do what ever he says! What a great place to be, huh guys?

Not quite. Jesus sets quite a standard for us.

Love the wives the same way Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.

That is really quite a love. It is a love that submits to his wife's needs at the expense of his own wants and desires. It is a sacrificial love that accedes to her needs first.

That goes back to the previous verse that tells us to always be submitting to each other. As the wife submits to her husband's leadership he submits sacrificially to her needs and her protection. After all, husband and wife are one flesh so if the husband is looking after the wife he is really looking after himself. It is a win-win proposition.

It is important now to remember that this works best when both husband and wife are doing their bits. If one falls down it hurts the unit. If wife is not submitting to the husband's leadership and he loving her and sacrificially giving for her the partnership is a beautiful thing to behold.

Love my wife like Christ loved the church. Love her so much that I am willing to give my life up for her.

It is quite a charge, but certainly worth the effort.