In Christ’s redemption, we find, not the dismantling of the original, created order of loving headship and willing submission, but a recovery of it from the ruin of sin. So what we find in Ephesians 5:21-33 – the household table for husbands and wives is: Wives, let your fallen submission be redeemed by modeling it after God’s intention for the church! Husbands, let your fallen headship be redeemed by modeling it after God’s intention for Christ! Headship therefore, is not a right to command and control, but a responsibility to love like Christ, even to the laying down of your life for your wife. Husband, your authority and responsibility to lead is given, not to puff yourself up, but to edify your family. These instructions to husbands then, guard against the abuses of a ruined headship, by telling husbands to love like Jesus. The call in verse 25 for husbands to “love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her,” revolutionizes the way he leads.
Read Luke 22:26 and consider different ways that Christ leads the church by serving her. Likewise husbands, lead by discovering ways, that like Christ, you may serve your family. In particular consider Christ’s role as priest and sanctifier of His people. How can you minister to your family so as to present them holy and without blemish in the sight of God.
