11/10/24 - The Mystery of Marriage - Ephesians 5:21–33 - Pastor Jason Fritz

In our passage this Sunday, the Apostle Paul explores the theme of submission within the family. The fact is, we are all called to place ourselves under authority. "Submit one to another,” says Paul. As one of your Pastors, I am under the authority of the Elders - this is a great thing. It brings accountability and protection.   And yet, is there a more incendiary word than submission in our culture today? A common misconception is that submission means inferiority or “less than.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. Jesus spent his entire life submitting to the will of the Father. The fact is it requires great strength to place oneself under the authority of another for mutual benefit. Using Jesus and his bride, the church as a model, Paul explains that submission within a family does not diminish value but reflects God’s design for order and support within family relationships including the roles of husbands and wives.   For wives, submission to their husbands is likened to the church’s submission to Christ—an act grounded in trust and reverence, but never in mindlessness or subservience. Husbands, in turn, are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church, a self-sacrificial love that prioritizes their wives' holiness and spiritual well-being.    Husbands, to lead the home is to love like Jesus and offer yourself in servant leadership. It is a man's responsibility to nurture and cherish his wife, leading her toward Christlikeness through humility, prayer and devotion. The question to ask yourself is this: Is my wife more like Jesus because she is married to me?   Paul reflects on the broader mystery of marriage as a reflection of the relationship between Christ and the church. When both husbands and wives honor their God-given roles, they foster a relationship marked by love and respect that mirrors the profound union of Christ and his people.