Thursday, July 30, 2009

Husbands Love Your Wives...

Husbands, love your wives just as Christ also love the church and gave Himself up for her that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having not spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherish it, just as Christ also does the church because we are members of His body. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband Ephesians 5:25-33

An unusual opening to a post I'm sure, but for good cause for today I have been given the example of two such men that loved their wives as Christ loved the church. Two men that probably don't know each other, yet they are brothers. Within an hour each of them witnessed their beautiful brides passing into the loving arms of their Savior to be with Him forever in glory. Each of these men loved their wives. They stood by their sides during sickness and in health, they kept their wedding vows to the bitter/sweet temporary separation that each felt last night - one at 9:45 PM and one at 10:17 PM. Different stories, the same ending. There is rejoicing in heaven today as these precious wives have met their glorious reward - to see Jesus face to face. And on earth we are relying on the Holy Spirit to bring comfort to those left behind. Yes, homecomings are both bitter and sweet, but because our hope is in the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, God's only Son who offered us redemption for our sins through His sacrifice on the cross, through this hope we can truly say it's not goodbye but a temporary separation. My sisters, I'll see you soon. I'll pray for your husbands as they continue this journey without you by their side. They have truly been an example of a godly husband and will one day join you again in eternity forever praising Jesus. Come quickly Lord Jesus!

1 comment:

Susan Loftin said...

What a beautiful tribute to these couples! You are a special person, Karen.