The above title may seem cliché, it is an idea so rudiment to any marriage relationship that it can almost be taken for granted by mere commonality. To any normal husband that is asked the question, “do you love your wife” the simple answer is yes, as it should be. If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time, therefore the goal is always that we love our wives. But what does that look like? Well, in Ephesians 5:25 we get the answer as to what the act of loving our wives is supposed to look like. It says, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it…” This is the cast that we as husbands are to model when it comes to loving our wives. We are to love them as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. Now, to illustrate what that looks like I would like to look at the seven sayings of Christ on the cross, and examine how he gave himself for the church: we will simply summarize what they mean, and how the husband is to apply them in the marriage.
1.) Luke 23:34 "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." Here Christ states that although he was being crucified by these men he still forgave them. Now, these men would only find true forgiveness from God if they sought it with a repentant heart, and the same is the case for any spouse. The innocent spouse may desire to forgive the guilty one but it will only work, if the spouse that did the wrong seeks forgiveness. However, as husbands if our wife has done something wrong to us we must seek to forgive them. If Christ can be crucified ,and still forgive, then nothing in a marriage relationship is unforgivable.
2.) Luke 23:43 "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." There is no greater promise that a spouse can give their partner than to say that they will meet them again in heaven. As a husband it is our job to evangelize to our spouse, and know that they too will meet us in heaven.
3.) John 19:26-27 "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."
Here Jesus put the responsibility of caring for his mother on John his disciple. Simply put, the man is to take care of the basic needs of the family. He should be a bread winner, a protector, and a friend to all in his household.
4.) Matthew 27:46 "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"The simple reason God had forsaken Christ is because he was taking on the sin of the world.After Christ had led captivity captive through his resurrection, he was reunited with the father sitting on his right hand. Christ gave himself for our sin. The greatest example of love from a husband is for him to give himself for his wife. This includes his time, his intellect, his money, and everything else about himself.
5.) John 19:28 "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst." These last three saying make what is known as the tripod for any relationship that will stand. They are passion, commitment, and communication. Here Christ says that he desired something to drink. Men, we are to be passionate toward our wives. We are to desire there time, their personality, and their intimacy. Are you passionately perusing your wife?
6.) John 19:30 "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." Christ having finished his work of redemption claimed that it was finished and he gave up the ghost. For both spouses after your wedding day, pursuits of any other relationship are finished. It’s interesting that Christ was in control of giving up his life and he chose to do so. Likewise, once spouses have exchanged their wedding vows they too have chosen to die to any other relationship and have taken a lifelong commitment of marriage to their spouse.
7.) Luke 23:46 "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said,Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." When Christ gave his Spirit into his Fathers hands it was a sign of complete trust and union. No marriage will work if a spouse is holding back something from the other. There must be a clear line of communication at all times within the relationship. If there is something being held back the relationship will experience disunion.
1.) Luke 23:34 "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." Here Christ states that although he was being crucified by these men he still forgave them. Now, these men would only find true forgiveness from God if they sought it with a repentant heart, and the same is the case for any spouse. The innocent spouse may desire to forgive the guilty one but it will only work, if the spouse that did the wrong seeks forgiveness. However, as husbands if our wife has done something wrong to us we must seek to forgive them. If Christ can be crucified ,and still forgive, then nothing in a marriage relationship is unforgivable.
2.) Luke 23:43 "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." There is no greater promise that a spouse can give their partner than to say that they will meet them again in heaven. As a husband it is our job to evangelize to our spouse, and know that they too will meet us in heaven.
3.) John 19:26-27 "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."
Here Jesus put the responsibility of caring for his mother on John his disciple. Simply put, the man is to take care of the basic needs of the family. He should be a bread winner, a protector, and a friend to all in his household.
4.) Matthew 27:46 "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"The simple reason God had forsaken Christ is because he was taking on the sin of the world.After Christ had led captivity captive through his resurrection, he was reunited with the father sitting on his right hand. Christ gave himself for our sin. The greatest example of love from a husband is for him to give himself for his wife. This includes his time, his intellect, his money, and everything else about himself.
5.) John 19:28 "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst." These last three saying make what is known as the tripod for any relationship that will stand. They are passion, commitment, and communication. Here Christ says that he desired something to drink. Men, we are to be passionate toward our wives. We are to desire there time, their personality, and their intimacy. Are you passionately perusing your wife?
6.) John 19:30 "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." Christ having finished his work of redemption claimed that it was finished and he gave up the ghost. For both spouses after your wedding day, pursuits of any other relationship are finished. It’s interesting that Christ was in control of giving up his life and he chose to do so. Likewise, once spouses have exchanged their wedding vows they too have chosen to die to any other relationship and have taken a lifelong commitment of marriage to their spouse.
7.) Luke 23:46 "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said,Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." When Christ gave his Spirit into his Fathers hands it was a sign of complete trust and union. No marriage will work if a spouse is holding back something from the other. There must be a clear line of communication at all times within the relationship. If there is something being held back the relationship will experience disunion.
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