Day 24

Husbands, love you wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot of wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loved his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the Church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. Ephesians 5:25-32
This passage has long been seen as one of the primary passages about marriage, and is often used as a basis of exhortation at weddings and occasions of similar emphasis. What seems increasingly clear, however, is that far too little energy has been expended coming to a place of experimental understanding of the romantic love of Jesus for the Church, which is the real focus of the passage.
Consider the statements made concerning the purpose of Jesus' self-sacrifice on behalf of His bride: He loved her, He gave Himself for her, to wash and cleanse her, to present her to Himself as glorious, fully perfect and without fault. He loves us as He loves Himself, and He nourishes and cherishes us with the singular goal of becoming one flesh! What a mystery!
Over the next several days, we're going to focus on specific phrases in this passage, but today let your prayer be one of preparation, that the Holy Spirit will make your heart ready to receive these things.
Prayer: Jesus, this is such a familiar passage, but I ask You today to give me a new ability to comprehend what is being said here, and to experience what it is to be loved by You in this way. I long to know this love, Lord! Help me, for Your own sake.
Day 24 devotional "Forerunner Meditations: Discovering the Father's heart" by Gary Wiens