#1477. Marriage models Christ and the church (20/3/26)
- Matt Beaney
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.
From Ephesians 5:31–33, let’s reflect on how marriage is meant to reveal the relationship between Christ and His church.
To watch this devotional, please select the link below:
‘’For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:31-33)
The profound mystery of marriage
Paul calls marriage ‘a profound mystery.’ The phrase is mégas mystḗrion - a great and glorious truth that can only be properly understood through God’s revelation. Marriage is not merely a social institution; it is designed by God to reveal something far greater.
C. J. Mahaney writes:
‘All Christian marriages are intended ultimately to point to that greater reality. The final, glorious purpose of Christian marriage is to witness to the relationship between Christ and the Church.’ (C. J. Mahaney, Sex, Romance and the Glory of God, p.25)
Marriage is therefore meant to display profound truths about Jesus’ relationship with His people.
3. Spiritual union
Marriage demonstrates our spiritual union with Christ. As husband and wife become ‘one flesh’, so Christians are united to Christ and become ‘the body of Christ.’
Our union with Christ is unbreakable. Nothing can separate us from His love, and this covenantal devotion is something marriage is meant to reflect.
This is why adultery and divorce are such tragedies. As The Expositor's Bible Commentary puts it:
‘If husband and wife are “one flesh,” what a tragic division a divorce entails, as though Christ would abandon his church for another lover or as though the church could survive on its own without him!’ (The Expositor's Bible Commentary)
This truth has important application whether we are married or single. Our faithful love for one another in the church reflects our ‘marriage’ with Christ. His love for us is to be seen in our love for one another.
Church life should therefore reflect the warmth and belonging of a family. As Christopher Ash writes:
‘The single need not be lonely if our churches are fellowships of inclusive love. ‘Single’ ought not to mean ‘solitary’. The unmarried ought not to be ‘singles’ floating around the world alone, but rather – like the marrieds – men and women who belong in loving communities and fellowships, the family of God. If they are lonely that may be because our church fellowships are not functioning properly to include them in natural warm fellowship and friendships. So often we hear of singles who are rarely invited to family meals or dinners, because it is always couples who are asked. This ought not to be.’ (Married For God, Ash)
2. Authority and submission
Another way marriage reflects Christ and the church is through the loving leadership (headship) of the husband and the willing respect and submission of the wife.
When lived out prayerfully and lovingly, this relationship reflects the greater reality: the church, the bride of Christ, joyfully submitting to Jesus, the head of the church.
Response - Put this into practice
We are called to build marriages that reflect the relationship between Christ and His church, and to build churches that reflect the love, unity, and devotion that marriage is meant to model.
To this end, Paul concludes with a clear exhortation:
‘However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.’
So let us ask ourselves:
If you are a husband, will you love your wife sacrificially?
If you are a wife, will you respect your husband?
If you are single, will you love the bride of Christ—His church—and honour the bridegroom, Jesus?
Finally, a word to those who are married:
'The great success of a wife is her husband. The supreme glory of a husband is his wife. So each partner is a measure of the success of the other one.' (John and Marion Groves, Marriage Day 2009)
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
On Sunday, we continued our new series entitled: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.
Please read Ephesians 5:21-33 and discuss:
Personal Reflection – From Sunday’s message and this passage, what stood out to you? Was there anything the Spirit particularly impressed on your heart?
What does it mean for us to ‘Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ’?
How is marriage to mirror the relationship between Christ and the church?
How do healthy marriages in the church bring glory to Jesus?
If we are single, what great encouragements can we glean from this text?
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
How does love and respect in marriage, and the way that all - including the single - care for one another, make us a light in the community?
Sharing Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.
Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?
Let’s Pray Together
Let’s pray for one another in light of what we’ve studied and bring any other needs before God.
Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.
Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.
General prayer: From our study, or from personal needs, how do people want prayer?
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