February 18 A Submissive Man

Esther 2:15 When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her. 
 
IF you’ve missed the past five days’ lessons, this Scripture regarding Esther’s submissive behavior under Mordecai and Hegai has directed me to some lessons on submission. I’m motivated by wondering, “Should Esther submit? Even if she is a victim of circumstances, should she submit to Hegai?” After all, he is under the king’s direction to make Esther as sexually desirable as possible. Is Esther a victim, a willing participant, or a victor in this circumstance?”
     To answer such questions, we’ve looked at the biblical view of submission. We have considered the church’s submission to its leaders. We’ve remembered Jesus’ submission to the cross. Today we are in the second day of a two-day lesson on submission to one another. I am focusing particularly on the marriage relationship. If you’re not married, this teaching is still very relevant for you as you are commanded to be in loving relationships with others as a disciple of Jesus. We must all understand God’s created order to submit to the laws of relationships he has formed.         
     We go on. Men, listen again to Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Hear, men, how you are to love your wives as Christ submitted his life to the Father for the church. Here is what I’ve told every new groom and every man I’ve counseled in his marriage: “You are to be the kind of Jesus-like husband who is willing to die for your wife.” Do you get that? Husbands, you must see your wife and children as evidence of God’s glory and treasure he has offered to you through Jesus’ submission to the cross.
     This doesn’t only mean to die physically. You will have to “die” to your old friends who keep you away from home. You might have to “die” to overwork because your children need you at home. You will have to “die” to cultural pleasures so you have time to secure spiritual treasures. You will have to “die” to anything that separates you from your wife.
     Every aspect of your life must be grounded in Jesus’ salvation. Follow Jesus’ submissive life. Find Jesus’ truth. Submit your life to his teachings. Submit your wants, your desires, your preferences, your habits and your attitude to the cross of Christ. Love your wife, your children and even “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44) as Christ loved you with his eternal, sacrificial love. Proper authority in Jesus’ example begins with a servant’s heart. Remember, a good shepherd leads.
      Wives, in turn, you then are to submit to the authority of such a godly man. In God’s order for the world, you are not to be the head of the household. I know, most women don’t submit to that teaching because you’ve been taught otherwise in our self-based culture.
     But we all must realize that the way of God is not about one sex in control over another. Proper authority is not controlling. Be aware that Scripture is clear on many ways God honors the female. Remember, you ladies are made in his image. God honors his image in all humans. His command of submission is not to bind you to slavery, but to offer you a secure place in his love.
     The Bible’s submission teaching is about God’s established order in which mankind can live well and in peace within the foundation of marriage. God has created an order of authority in himself, in the family and in his church. The Son and the Spirit submit to the Father. The husband is to submit to Jesus. The wife is to submit to her husband’s godly authority. Children are to submit to their parents (There’s another topic.) The household is to submit fully to God. Otherwise, chaos rules. (Just look around you and see.)
     Paul summarizes his teaching with this: Ephesians 5:33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. 
     Loving, respecting one another is the essence of a Christ-based relationship.
     Tomorrow we consider submission as it relates to the government authority under which we live.
 
Prayer: Help us, Spirit, to truly know “If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8) Teach us to live in submission to your love. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.