Proper 5 (NTA)

Ephesians 5:22-33

²² Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, ²⁶ that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, ³⁰ because we are members of his body. ³¹ “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” ³² This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. ³³ However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

St Paul talks a lot about the relationship between husband and wife.  Sometimes he talks about it directly in situations like this one.  Other times St Paul is concerned with proper sexuality, namely sex within the covenant of marriage.  There are even other times when St Paul talks about the differences between Man and Woman (which does not direct correlate with the relationship between Husband and Wife).

Most of the time when people hear this text they stop after verse 24.  But Look at what St Paul requires of Husbands.  Husbands are to Love their wives the same way Christ loves you.  How does Christ Love you?  Jesus Christ complains about you all the time.  Jesus Christ expects you to do the dishes and clean the house.  Jesus Christ expects you to serve him and glorify him.  Jesus Christ treats you like a slave and a piece of meat.  Jesus Christ even makes you clean up all the messes and mistakes he makes.

Well maybe that is not exactly how Jesus acts toward you.  Jesus Christ washes you.  Jesus Christ dresses you.  Jesus Christ picks up after you.  Jesus Christ does your dishes.  Jesus Christ listens to your complaints.  Jesus Christ even gives you gifts.  These are the things Jesus Christ does.  Even on the night he was betrayed, he bends down and washes his disciples feet.  Jesus lays down his life for you to make up for all your mistakes.

Husbands remember to Love your Wife as Christ Loved the Church.  Husbands remember what God told all the people of Israel: "Be Holy as the Lord your God is Holy."  Wives should submit to their husbands, because he is your head.  Husbands you should be like Jesus.  But even though both of you are going to fail, Jesus Christ still treats you both the same way.  Jesus Christ still lays down his life for you and cleanses you from all unrighteousness.