As Christ Loved the Church
I've always known that Christ loves the church. He died for it. He sacrificed himself in order to sanctify it. He did it to restore the relationship we severed. But knowing the full extent to which Christ loves his church was something that became even more real for me as of recent.
In Ephesians 5, Paul gives instruction for the Christian household. He speaks of submission of wives to their husbands as the church submits to Christ - never once labeling the wife as inferior to her husband. He makes it clear that we are submitting to one another "as to the Lord." By submitting to each other, we submit to Christ. Paul continues:
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 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. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body.
Ephesians 5:25-30
Paul commands husbands to love their wives, comparing that to Christ's love for the church. That's a tall order. Christ loved a church that praised him when it was convenient, turned their backs on him when he was vulnerable, and neglected his instruction time and again. Christ loved a church that we may deem not worth loving. But he loved it. He actively loves it.
As men we are commanded to love our wives as our own bodies. The two become one flesh through marriage, and this one flesh is compared to the body of Christ which is his church. The sanctity of marriage is to reflect the church and body of Christ. Marriage is more than living together, growing a family and having someone to binge-watch a Netflix series with (although Netflix is a very good thing). Marriage sanctifies us to be like Christ and to grow in his love.
On August 6, 2016 I married my best friend, Caroline. It was such a blur. Literally. The doors opened, she walked through looking radiant and that's all I saw. I was a mess. I was crying, sobbing really, and I finally got it. I could feel and see the love that Christ has for his church. Watching her walk down the aisle, through blurry eyes, pure joy swept over me.
In that moment, the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with was coming to meet me. And I couldn't wait to greet her. I wanted to run up the aisle and sweep her off her feet and just run away. I don't think she would have appreciated that very much, but it's what I was feeling.
When I think about the way Christ loves us, I now think of that very moment. Tears in his eyes, overcome by joy, and longing to be reunited with his body. We are loved by a good, gracious and caring Father. We are loved far greater than we deserve. I feel that I am not worthy of an unconditional love - but God sees me differently. He sees past the dirt and grime and looks to the person he created in his image for himself.
Caroline loves me in a way that reflects who Christ is, even when I don't deserve it. I'm weirder than she thought I was, I snore, I leave my shoes in random places, and I nearly freeze her to death. But she chooses me anyway. That love is only one that can come from Christ. In anticipation of the day we meet Christ, I hope that as we grow in our marriage we would reflect him daily to those around us.