Lord’s Day, Vol. 9 No. 31
Christ’s Love for the Church
Ephesians 5:29-30 (KJV) For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
The husband-wife relationship is exemplified by the close relationship between our Lord Jesus Christ and the church. This is depicted well by the Apostle Paul that we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bone. And the verb “are” in the Greek speaks of continuous state of being.
In other words, when we are saved, we are members of Christ’s body – His own flesh and His own bones, a bond that cannot broken. We are joined to Christ so intimately and inextricably, that moment by moment, Christ tenderly cares, strengthens and watches over His body. Christ, being the Head, and the church His body (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23).
To help us better understand the exhortation for the husband to love the wife, two words are used to describe Christ’s care for His church. He “nourishes” and “cherishes” it.
Nourishes means to rear up to maturity, to cherish or train to bring up. It describes Christ’s sanctifying work in the believer’s life. The word “nourish” from the preposition “out of or from”, spoken of such objects which before were in another object but are now separated from it, either in respect to place, time, source, or origin. It speaks of a state or condition, out of which one comes, is brought, or tends toward. The believer who has been made alive in Christ, now partaker of spiritual life, was once dead in trespasses and sin, in time past walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, living a life of disobedience against God in Christ (Eph. 2:1-2)
Ephesians 2:3 (KJV) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
The believer is being rescued from sin through the death and resurrection of Christ and now nourished in the ways of God through Christ in holiness by the grace and mercy of God.
Ephesians 2:4-6 (KJV) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Besides the preposition “out of”, the word “nourishes” consists of the verb “to bring up or feed or strengthen”. Christ “feeds” the fowls of the air that sow not (Matt. 6:26), He feeds and nourishes His body, the body of believers, restored in the image of God through Christ yet not perfect, Christ took it upon Himself to nourish us. What privilege to be cared for by our the Creator, Sustainer and Saviour as we progress toward maturity – 1 John 3:2 (KJV) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
The imagery of this nourishing up is well illustrated by Isaiah and Ezekiel as a shepherd cares and watches over the lambs – Isaiah 40:11 (KJV) He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Ezekiel 34:14-15 (KJV) I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.
In other words, Christ is watching over and with utmost caring looking to the well-being of the believer. For example, in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, the believer with self-examination is nourished and strengthened partaking the bread and cup (1 Cor. 11:28). The elements signify Christ’s sacrificial death for the remission of sins – John 6:50-51, 53-58 (KJV) This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world… 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word (Eph. 5:25-26). The nourishing of the believer is by the Word of God through the Spirit of Christ. Let us therefore, feed on Christ in His written Word that we may be nourished, endued with wisdom for life.
Cherishes literally means “to impart warmth or to keep warm”; that is, to cherish, nurse, foster with tender care. It is not rough and uncouth but speaks of carefulness, gentleness and comfort that the believer lovingly receives from Christ, as a nurse cherishes her children (1 Thess. 2:7). This word occurs only twice in the New Testament signifying God’s care for His people.
Both verbs “nourisheth and cherisheth” are represented by active, continuous action. Christ’s care for the believer has no let-up. There is no time when Christ will not be there to protect and to defend the believer, just as the husband is exhorted to do for his wife.
Harold W. Hoehner observed well, “As it is natural for man not to hate his own flesh but to nurture and take care of his body, [so Christ,] the church. Christ redeemed it (Eph. 1:7-12; 2:1-10), sealed it (Eph. 1:13-14), empowered it (1:19-23), gifted it (Eph. 4:7-16) and loved and sanctified it (Eph. 5:25-26). Even with all its imperfections, Christ did not give birth to the church and leave it stranded. He nurses her with the warmth of His love and power that she will be able to cope in the world. Christ, as head of the church, is not only a ruler or authority over the church but also the source of sustenance by which it is nurtured.” The Lord strengthen and comfort His own. All praise to Him. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee