Eph. 5:23,24 KJV Session 19 23 “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” In our last session we considered how the marriage relationship came to be as it is stated here in Ephesians 5. Although, created and joined together without divine statement as to order and accountability in the Garden: it seems appropriate to believe God intended all along to use human marriage as a means of modeling the greater relationship Christ has with the New Testament Church. Let's walk through these two important verses and consider them together. “…the husband is the head of the wife.” This is as authoritative as Genesis 1:1. It's not up for debate or discussion. There’s an old southern saying, “Plain language is easily understood.” What we have here is very plain language. Any marriage in which the husband is not serving as the head of the wife, is one existing out of the expressed will of God. Whatever level of joy you might have in such a marriage isn't God's best for you, or your spouse. You can experience better by following the scriptural mandates. “…even as…” This is the vital piece we need in order to understand why God instituted marriage. Marriage is a picture, a model, a mirror, a prototype if you will of something greater, something eternal. The husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church. This statement assures us marriage matters immensely. We must get it right, because there is eternal significance attached to it. Marriage isn't merely a state of being where two people choose to live together. It is more than an agreed upon sexual union, or lifestyle choice made for convenience or practical, financial reasons. To God, marriage is sacred, institutional. Therefore, marriage is to be hallowed, revered. From God's perspective, marriage does not permit two people to come together and choose to live together as they see fit to live. Since marriage is a divine institution; there is structure, principle and mandates unto which to adhere. Marriage is two people, one man and one woman coming together in a covenant relationship both predisposed to living together God's way. Marriage is husband and wife pleasing God together. “Christ is the head of the Church…” Paul did not write, Christ is one of the heads, or he is the chief head of the Church. There is only one head of the Church and that head is Jesus! Likewise, there is only one head of the wife. That head is the husband. No, that's not sexist. It's not misogyny. I don't think anyone knows all of the divine reasoning behind this reality. We simply must trust that God knows best and obey him in this matter. “…he is the Savior of the body.” The husband cannot save his wife. Yet, he is to model the person of Christ in the home, and by so doing he influences his wife to rely upon Jesus for both salvation and security. Christ has saved his Church. Therefore he reigns supreme and preeminent in her. To the Church, Christ “is all, in all.” “…As the Church is subject to Christ…” As, is a comparative word. It means in the same way, manner, and relationship as Christ is to the Church. The divine intent then is clear. The husband - wife relationship is to mirror the relationship Christ has with his Church. This is a perfect standard. Just as the divine law is perfect, and yes unattainable: it is nonetheless, the standard which has been set for marriage. Some would abandon the standard merely because it is unattainable. True followers of Christ will embrace it. But why? The standard of Christ is good. We ought to have the highest possible standard of measure and strive determinedly to attain it. Our lives will be enriched seeking the highest standard of measure even without actually attaining perfection. Reality: We all admit, there are no marriages today that reach the standard set here. Perhaps worse, or surely just as tragic, I know of no local churches where Christ is followed and obeyed as the supreme head of the church. Both homes and churches today are reaping the horrible harvest of lowering our standards of living; lowering our expectations of these institutions. A wife cannot, in most cases, will not submit herself willingly to her husband unless she trusts him. Churches today have lost the principle of operating solely upon faith in God. Our lack of trust, dependance, and obedience to Christ is the root cause of the epic declines many local churches and denominations are experiencing today. Marriages are being managed by the unsaved world’s concepts. Local churches are operating on secular business and marketing concepts rather than biblical ones. No wonder many are giving up on both marriage and the local church. “…so let the wives be unto their own husbands in every thing.” Faith is rarely easy. But it is the way God has chosen for us to live in this world. Women who have experienced bad things by submitting to her husband will be extremely reluctant to obey this passage. Local churches operating on a “shoe string” budget and operating paradigm will likewise be reluctant to abandon secular survival protocols in favor of biblical ones. Pastors and church leaders must lead their congregations to a true, faith based ministry model. Husbands can assist their wife greatly by first fully submitting themselves to the authority of the Holy Spirit. Establish and maintain trust. Give your wife good reason to rely upon you. We are about to get to the centerpiece essential for making marriage everything God intended when he brought Adam and EveZ together. Many factors affect marriages. But the next few verses are the real determinators of the fulfillment for which you are searching. Will get to those in the next sessions.