Daily Devotions
This is one of those passages that no writer wants to touch with a ten-foot pole. So many people have used it to hurt others that it’s hard to see what Paul is really saying. But it is very much worthwhile, if we can force ourselves to pay attention. Because Paul is telling us a great deal about our relationship with Jesus; and the stuff about marriage is in second place.
What does Paul say about Jesus and us, then? He reminds us that Jesus is our Head, our Leader, our Lord; and that even though He is all those glorious, holy things, He does not think of His own needs and wants, but He thinks about ours. He loves us with all His heart, passionately, intelligently, always looking for a way to meet our needs; and when He saw that the only way to save us meant giving up His own life, Jesus did that without holding back. He allowed Himself to be betrayed, to suffer, and to die on a cross in public shame—all to rescue us from the power of death and evil. And then He rose from the dead, and His first act that Easter Sunday was to seek us out—the people He loves—to tell us that He has won the victory for us, and we too will live with Him forever. These are the acts of Jesus, someone very much in love with the people God gave Him; and how could we resist that love?
It’s only after we think deeply about Jesus and us, that we’re finally ready to think about marriage. Because our marriages are meant to be tiny mirrors of the love between Jesus and His people; and with the Holy Spirit’s help, they can be just that.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord Jesus, I have a hard time understanding how deeply You love us. Help me to understand and imitate Your love. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. When have you seen a relationship between two people that shows real, self-giving love?
2. How can you tell it was that kind of love? Give details.
3. What can you do, today, with God’s help, to make one of your relationships more loving?