Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph. 5:21).
Reverence (literally “fear”) is a sense of awe at the wonder, beauty and mystery of what is sacred. Our passage for this week (Eph. 5:21-6:9) calls us to recognize the holiness of Christ in our brothers and sisters. Marriage in particular is to reflect the divine union of Christ and his Church.
To talk of marriage and family when the nation faces crisis may seem superfluous. But these are precisely the matters Paul addresses in preparing the Saints to stand firm in their opposition against the spiritual forces of evil. Eugene Peterson, drawing on the insights of French sociologist Jacques Ellul, explains: “the powers insidiously make themselves at home in institutions established for good and then use the institution as a cover for evil…The basic good of money is idolised into the god Mammon; the basic good of language is debased into the lies of propaganda”.[1]
Our reverence, through Christ, for our shared humanity is vital for our unity in the battle and so that we never forget that our struggle is not against humanity (“flesh and blood”, 6:12), but against evil.
As I write I am preparing to join this battle with other ministers of our District as we gather for silent prayer at Parliament.
God Bless,
Sean
[1] Practice Resurrection: A Conversation on Growing Up in Christ, Eugene Peterson (p.g. 440).