Ephesians 5.22-33 (6)
Pray Psalm 27.11-13.
Teach me Your way, O LORD,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Sing Psalm 27.11-13.
(St. Denio: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise)
LORD, teach us; LORD, lead us because of our foes!
Hear, LORD, when we plead for release from their woes.
Had we not believed all Your goodness to see,
our heart sorely grieved and in turmoil would be.
Read Ephesians 5.22-33; meditate on verses 32.
What other Biblical “mysteries” can you recall?
Preparation
1. How does Paul describe marriage?
2. What is his larger theme?
Meditation
Here’s a mystery: To which “mystery” does the word “this” point? The mystery of marriage? Or the mystery of Christ’s love for and union with the Church?
My answer? Both.A mystery is something we can experience and know, but we cannot fully explain it. How is the Church made to be the Body of Christ? How can we down here on earth and in time be united with Him Who rules from beyond time in a glorified body? We know it is by the indwelling Holy Spirit. We can’t explain it. But we know it’s true. It’s a mystery. Leave it at that.
How can a man and woman become one flesh so completely that he cannot help but love her—she is his own flesh, after all—and she cannot fail to submit to him—one-fleshness is like that, yeah it is. Can we explain this? I can’t. It’s a mystery. How Susie and I can be one flesh when we are so different in so many ways is inexplicable to me. But I experience it every day as we complement one another in our work, our conversations, our meals, and every aspect and facet of our lives. I can’t help but love her. I’m one with her. I loved her from the moment I saw her, and I became one with her when we said, “I do.” I could explain the physical aspects, some of them, but the metaphysics are beyond me.
This is a great mystery, indeed. Both. How do these work? What keeps them going? We revel in the wonder and experience of each, for each, when properly entered, brings us into the joy and pleasure of our Lord Jesus Christ—the greatest mystery of all.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.The Christian life is full of mysteries.
Things that on one level make no sense; but on another, make perfect sense.
“And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven,
for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you’” (Matt. 5.2-12).
In Jesus Christ the mystery is accepted and appreciated. Otherwise, all is lost.
In the same way that a perfect Savior carried the sins of the world to hell for us;
and then rose victorious from the grip of evil to empower His people to live for Him,
so the mystery of marriage is true, minutely understandable, accepted, but beyond explanation.
Two willful, sinful, self-protective people are called together to honor God as one—and somehow,
through the machinations of respect, submission, and love the impossible becomes possible.
That God gives us the opportunity daily, to participate in the miraculous, is mysterious and sweet.
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD!
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!
They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways” (Ps. 119.1-3).
This is the heart attitude that solidifies a marriage.
This is the heart attitude that appreciates God’s mysterious Gift of salvation.
The metaphysics of both are beyond me; but suffice it to say:
I’m thankful for and love my husband; and I’m thankful for Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord.
The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation, by water and the Word:
From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride;
With His Own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.
(Samuel J. Stone, 1868)
The dual mysteries of marriage and Christ’s Church—Unexplainable—yet appreciated and enjoyed.
Reflection
1. Why do you suppose there’s so much mystery to the Christian life?
2. What would be some examples of things that are not mysteries in the Christian life?
3. Why do people stuck in the secular worldview find it so hard to grasp the mysteries of Christ and salvation? How can we help them?
This is a great mystery; by which he means, that no language can explain fully what it implies. It is to no purpose that men fret themselves to comprehend, by the judgment of the flesh, the manner and character of this union; for here the infinite power of the Divine Spirit is exerted. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Ephesians 5.32
Pray Psalm 27.14.
Thank God for His Word, by which we enter the mysteries of our salvation; and for His Spirit, Who opens the Word and brings us into those mysteries by faith.
Sing Psalm 27.14.
(St. Denio: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise)
Wait, wait on the LORD; persevere in His grace.
Hold fast to His Word; seek His radiant face.
Be strong, set your heart to abide in His Word;
His grace He imparts; therefore, wait on the LORD.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
