29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. – Ephesians 5:29 – 30

The context of today’s passage is in relation to husbands loving their wives as their own bodies. Contrary to the cultural assumption that women spend a lot of time on shall we say presentation, men are incredibly vain. We spend enormous amounts of time keeping our bodies in shape, and the plethora of men’s skin care products is evidence of the growing demand by men in this once predominantly women’s market. Regarding this passage, a much-loved teacher once asked “Have you ever met a man who loves anyone as much as he loves his own body? So, the appeal for a man to love his wife as much as his own body is no small request! 

Paul appeals to our ultimate example of unselfish loving, Christ feeding and caring for his body, the church. I can only imagine how Jesus’ own team must have felt when they realised how much he cared for them in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer. But the human marriage analogy ends there, because with his resurrection, ascension and pouring out of the Holy Spirit, he held true to his promise “I will be with you always.” Jesus is our glorious bridegroom. 

Sean Kluyts – Creek Road Campus