CHERISH!

Friday, May 31, 2019

CHERISH!

Eph 5:28-29

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

           These verses speak of the kind of love a husband should have for his wife and, we presume, that the wife should have for her husband. Two Greek words are worthy of a closer look.

           The word that is translated “nourisheth” has little to do with daily feeding or food. It is the Greek word ektrepho which literally means “to rear up to maturity.” The husband should provide the spiritual strength and leadership necessary to bring his family to a mature relationship with Christ.

           The word “cherish” is often found in traditional wedding vows along with the word obey. Sadly both are too often lacking in marriages today. I suspect if one were present the other would follow. The Greek word which is translated “cherish” is thalpo which literally means “to warm” or “to brood.” The image is that of a mother cuddling her infant or, as Jesus offered, “a hen gathering her chicks under her wings.” (Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34)

           “Even as the Lord the church,” speaks of the kind of love Jesus has for us. He “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:14)

Dear God, with your Son Jesus as my example, let me nourish and cherish my family today. AMEN