THE HEAD OF THE WIFE

A husband had just finished reading the book “Man Of The House” while making his commute home from work.

When he arrived home, he stormed into the house and walked directly up to his wife.  Pointing his finger in her face, he said, “From now on I want you to know that I am the man of this house and my word is law!  You are to prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and when I’m finished eating my meal, I expect a sumptuous dessert afterward. Then, after dinner, you’re going to draw my bath so I can relax.  And when I’m finished with my bath, guess who’s going to dress me and comb my hair?”

His wife thought for a moment and responded, “The Funeral Director is my guess.”

Unfortunately, many husbands have the mistaken idea that that’s what it means to be “the head of the wife” — give orders and sit back, ready to be waited on hand and foot.  Paul, though, gave a completely different picture:

“For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior…. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Eph. 5:23,25)

What Paul is saying is that headship is not so much a position of privilege as it is a position of responsibility.  It is not the responsibility of the head to “lord it over” the wife, but rather to take a position of service and sacrifice.  Christ, our head, was willing to humble himself to meet our every need, even to the point of giving up his life.  He serves as the ultimate example to all of us who are husbands.

Just a few questions for you husbands to think about:  What have you given up lately for your wife?  What have you done lately that shows her how much you love her?  Are you more concerned with serving or being served?

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

Have a great day!

Alan Smith