What a golden example Christ gives to His disciples! Few
teachers could venture to say, “If you
want to practice my teaching, imitate my life.” But since the life of Jesus is
the exact transcript of perfect virtue, He can point to himself as the paragon
of holiness, as well as the teacher of it. The Christian should take nothing
short of Christ for his model. Under no circumstances should we be content
unless we reflect the grace that was in Him.
The Christian husband
is to look at the portrait of Jesus and he is to paint his life according to
that copy. The true Christian is to be a husband in the same way that Christ
was to His church. The love of a husband is special. The Lord Jesus cherishes the church and
has a special affection for her that is set upon her above the rest of mankind:
“I pray for them: I pray not for the
world” {John 17:9}
The church is the favorite of heaven and the treasure of
Christ, the crown of His head, the bracelet of His arm, the breastplate of His
heart, the very core of his love. A husband should love his wife with a
constant love, for thus Jesus loves His church. He does nor vary in His
affection. He may change in His display of affection, but the affection itself
is the same. A husband should love his wife with an enduring love, for nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love
of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” {Romans 8:39}
A true husband loves his wife with a hearty love that is fervent
and intense. It is not mere lip service. Beloved what more could Christ have
done to prove His love than He has done? Jesus has a delighted love toward His
spouse. He prizes her affection and delights in her sweet satisfaction.
Believer, you are amazed by Jesus’ love. You admire it, but are you
imitating it? In your domestic relationships is the rule and measure of
your love to be “”even as Christ also
loved the church”?
From Charles
Spurgeon Book “Morning and Evening”