But I Speak Concerning Christ and The Church

As I reminisce about a recent wedding, these words of Paul came forward as I read the larger context of the passage to my sons in bedtime devotions with them, "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church."

Paul is admonishing wives to submit to their husbands, and husbands to love their wives, and describes this relationship in light of the relationship between Christ and the Church. I am always amazed at how Christ loves the Church, for I often am humbled at the infinite nature of Christ's love, especially in comparison to my own dismal failings as a husband to my wife.

Now, my wife and I are not having marital strife, but we are not perfect and we each must repent of our selfish desires that cause disagreements and conflict that happens between humans that are friends and lovers. In my single-minded pursuit of my own agenda or schedule I have burst with anger at the frustrations I feel when everyone else is (unintentionally) hindering my way. Oftentimes I don't consciously repent before God even though my wife and I may apologize, kiss, and make up. Am I alone in this, I think not.

As I was thinking on this passage, I searched the net, and sought to see what some others might have to say. John Piper's site, DesiringGod.org yielded some gold nuggets in his article on Marriage and conformity to Christ.

Thank God for weddings that point to Christ and remind us of the covenant with the wife of your youth.