LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Just Like Christ
In Ephesians chapter 5 there is a precious analogy of Christian marriage with the relationship of Christ and the church. It highlights there the magnificent work of Christ on behalf of his beloved, both in the past and in the present. The first thing is salvation, for Christ is her Savior (v. 23). As such, he loved her and gave himself for her, shedding his blood on the cross. This is a perfectly accomplished work.
Next, sanctification, for he is her Sanctifier (v. 26), and he purifies her in the washing of water by the Word. His aim is that she should become holy and without spot, without wrinkle or any such thing.
In the meantime, he sustains her, for he is her Sustainer (v. 29). He offers his beloved the resources for her subsistence, the necessary nourishment. The earthly journey is difficult, and he must sustain her. It is as when the psalmist says of the Good Shepherd: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters" (Ps. 23:1-2).
And he also watches over her, for he is her Caretaker. Many dangers lurk, the soul is troubled, the days sometimes become distressing. Then she can exclaim: "He shall comfort my soul ... Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me" (v. 3-4). How wonderful is Christ in his fourfold office of Savior, Sanctifier, Sustainer and Caretaker!
But this has even greater, perhaps unsuspected, implications, for the same passage says: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church" (v. 25). This puts the husband on the other side of the analogy, that is, performing on behalf of his wife the same fourfold office of Christ for the church. Like Christ, the husband is called to save his wife, to sanctify, sustain and care for her. Human life -especially married life- offers so many vicissitudes, so many dangers and needs, that the husband will have a thousand occasions to emulate Christ in his marvelous care for his beloved.
Verse 27 says: "In order to present her to himself". This phrase refers to a future event, when the marriage of the Lamb comes. Then, the perfect work of Christ on the cross, already finished, plus His perfect work at this time, still being accomplished, will have a marvelous consummation. She -the church- will be the perfect bride for him.
Will husbands also be able to present to themselves, at some future time, at the end of their career, the fruit of their labor on behalf of their wives, to receive some deserved reward?