Biblical Mysteries
In the oft-read passage of Ephesians 5:25–33, the ideal marriage is set forth as an earthly reflection of the Church. Toward the end of this analogy we read the summary declaration, “This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church” (v. 32). Once again, we remind ourselves that biblical mysteries refer to truths previously hidden or unknown fully, but which God in His time has chosen to disclose. One of these is the relationship between Christ and the Church.
Basic to this relationship is the fact that Christ loves the Church, having given “Himself for her” (v. 25). A bit later the passage tells us that Christ “nourishes and cherishes” the Church (v. 29).
Body of Christ
The Church in its broad sense as the body of Christ is composed of multiple local churches. Should we be inclined to criticize any aspect of the Church, we must first recall that Christ our Savior loves and cherishes what we would criticize. Similarly, should local church members become disenchanted with their church, they do well to remember that Christ loves and cherishes local churches in spite of imperfections or deficiencies. We must never dislike what our Lord likes.
Because true believers are part of the Church as Christ’s earthly body, to be negative or opposed to one’s church is to hate one’s “own flesh” (v. 29). We sometimes hear of people who say they hate their bodies. While we probably know what they mean, we must never find ourselves hating Christ’s body, of which we are a part. We do well to love what Jesus loves. And He loves the Church.
Spiritual nourishment
As the body of Christ, a church gets its spiritual nourishment from Christ. In the context of the church, we receive this divinely supplied nourishment. Sometimes fasting from regular food has both a physical and spiritual purpose. However, fasting from spiritual nourishment is never positive. If Christ prepared His spiritual table in the setting of the church, we must not neglect to hear and respond to the dinner bell. When the church gathers, we must choose to be present at the table.
God’s hidden truth about the church that is now revealed includes the glorious future awaiting the Church. Christ will yet “present her to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (v. 27). What a day that will be!
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