Daily Reading for January 23 2010 from Ephesians 5:25-32

Day 13

Ephesians 5:25-33
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church–30 for we are members of his body.31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”32 This is a profound mystery–but I am talking about Christ and the church.33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. 

This passage speaking of husbands and wives is also a representation of the love that Jesus has for His church. This message has been used wrongly in the past but as we examine it we realize that the passage doesn't speak of a husband dominating his wife but loving, providing for, and serving her. The text demands mutual respect one for another. Just as Christ served and even died for the church (His bride) husbands are meant to do for their wives. It makes you wonder how many marriages and other types of relationships could be saved if we just practiced love and respect as Jesus demonstrated. 


Blessings,


Pastor Larry


 -Pastor Larry