Lesson 8: Hidden Treasures in Christ
Questions 3, 4 and 5
When He died on the cross, Jesus gave up His comfort, His glory, His rights to nourish and care for His Bride. And now, ongoingly every day, Jesus nourishes us with His own body that was broken and His blood that was shed for us. He is our daily bread (John 6:54-59). Every day Jesus cherishes us by interceding for us and preparing a place for us (Hebrews 7:25, John 14:3). Yes, Jesus was marred beyond recognition to make us His beautiful, spotless Bride (Isaiah 53:14). Willingly and with joy in His heart, He paid the price for us with His precious blood (1 Corinthians 6:20). We are now members of His body (Ephesians 5:30) united forever in His love, inseparable and as such, we should love and care for each other in the same way. In fact, the marital one-flesh union is so strong, powerful, beautiful, loving, and giving that it can only be compared by God Himself and the relationship that Christ has with the church, His precious Bride. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” (Ephesians 5:31-32). No other relationship is comparable to Christ and the church like marriage is. One man and one woman would become one flesh in the sexual union which refers to the strong, powerful, beautiful, loving, and giving relationship that Christ has with the church.
The intimacy of Christ with His church is a profound mystery that was previously hidden but is now revealed at the cross. The oneness that a husband and wife experience in sexual intimacy is like the connection that Christ has with us as His Bride. Only our spiritual intimacy with Christ is far more profound, sweet, and life-giving than the physical relationship between husband and wife because our relationship with Christ is eternal and all-consuming. This intimacy with Jesus is experienced by each believer individually and by all believers corporately.
Since we share this deep intimacy with Christ, all believers are also intimately connected spiritually. So, if we hurt one of our brothers or sisters (or our spouse) in Christ, we are wounding the whole body of Christ (we are wounding each other). If we sin against one of our brothers or sisters (or spouse), we are sinning against the entire body of Christ. Our intimacy with Christ should cause us to be all the more careful and loving with each other.
Question 4. The intimacy Christ desires to have with you is comparable to the sexual intimacy between a husband and his wife.
Oh, friend, look to the cross and by faith be joined with Christ as His Bride! Become one with Him in Spirit and watch your life soar into heaven as you experience the freedom, forgiveness of sins, and intense love extended to you through Jesus’ death and resurrection. And as you experience the deep, intimate nourishing love of Jesus, remember to treat your brothers and sisters (and your spouse) in the Lord with the love and respect due to the body of Christ.
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10
Question 5. Jesus Christ loved and nourished the church through His death on the cross, how will this change the way you view your marriage and this passage as husband and wife? Please share.
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.