Love Like Christ

Ephesians 5:25-30; John 15:12-13 

You may notice that this devotional’s scripture is out of order. Don’t worry; this was intentional. The next three verses tend to be the verses that send one side or the other screaming their heads off, leaving the section after to be ignored. Paul says husbands must love their wives. That word – love – has become impotent in our culture, so let’s put it into perspective. He commands husbands to love like Christ. When Christ loved he was beaten, flogged, spit on, insulted, and crucified. He took upon himself all of God’s wrath to keep us from the consequences of our actions and the evil in this world. He protected and suffered and gave himself up. Keep in mind this radical, overwhelming love when Paul’s instructions for wives come around. 


Questions for further thought:
1. Why did Paul compare a husband’s love to that of Christ’s love for the church?

2. How does this metaphor change your thinking about the roles in a marriage relationship?   

Challenge: Do some research on the Greek words for love and extend your thinking on this concept.