"We who regard obedience and submission as oppressive tyranny have no inkling whatsoever of the demands of love." -Rebekah Mui
See Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5-6.
See Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5-6.
Perhaps children naturally groan at the command to obey in all things. How easy it must be for those in authority to tyrant over us! Yet we know that the demands upon those in authority are greater. James 3 says “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment”.
Perhaps wives bemoan the unfairness of the command of submission, complaining a burden too heavy, a sacrifice too great, an unfair and chauvinistic requirement.
However we fail to notice the heaviest and greatest demand of all is placed not upon the children, wife, or servants must upon the father and husband himself. This is the command to love. “Love”, you say, “is nothing at all. It is easy. ” No, I say, to love as Christ loved the church is not easy, for the love God demonstrated to us is the love of the cross. And the love which God demands for us is the love He demanded from Abraham, the love He demanded from Israel (Shema Yisrael, Deut. 6:4-9). This love, this perfect love is the perfect fulfilment, and only perfect fulfilment of the Torah (law). This love is the cross of Yeshua the Messiah.
Christ calls His church to submit under His yoke. It is easy, and light. Which is harder? To be the one who has to submit under the yoke, or the one who has to bear the yoke, bear our sins, carry the cross for us, to love us. No, love is harder. Love is a higher requirement. Indeed, love is the highest requirement.
Love requires the greatest sacrifice, the greatest denial of self. Our role as the church submitted to the headship of Christ and separating ourselves from all others but Him is “child's play” compared to the sacrifice He payed for us. He humbled Himself, suffered all things...
Philippians 2:
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
“Children... obey. Wives... submit. Husbands... love.”
To obey is to heed. To submit is to yield beneath. To love is lay down one's life.
Shalom and shabbat shalom!
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