THE HUSBAND AS THE PRIEST OVER THE FAMILY

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for Her;..." Ephesians 5:24-29 (KJV).

BIBLE READING: EPHESIANS 5:25-29; 1CORINTHIANS 11:3; COLOSSIANS 3:18-19; 1PETER 3:7

The Lord God Almighty has raised Godly husbands to play a crucial role within the Christian home. Even with the permeation of the deceptive culture of postmodernism today, which tends to devalue men, the husband is originally ordained by God to be the priest, provider, and protector of his household. Every genuine husband is a man who takes responsibility for his wife and loves her unconditionally the same manner in which Christ Jesus loves the Church (Eph. 5:25). Marriage was designed by God Almighty right from the Garden of Eden to be enjoyed by both the husband and wife under His Direct Supervision and coordinated by His Divine Principles.

The Authentic husband has certain vital roles to play in the home:

(1.) THE ROLE OF A PRIEST: This is one of the major roles a Genuine husband plays in a marriage. The husband is tasked with the duty of being the Spiritual leader and Covering of his family. A Spiritual leader or priest must be mature and never use his position to lord it over his wife. Being a Spiritual leader involves directing, cultivating, protecting, and building up. This entails respecting and loving your wife while helping her to become the very best she can be.

(2.) THE ROLE OF A PROVIDER: This involves the husband providing not just daily bread or sustenance for his household but also quality leadership proper. He is required to provide Guidance and Direction for his wife and children. The husband provides Spiritual Vision and Direction by making clear where the family belongs to and is heading to. The husband also makes sure that the family Altar is serviced and maintained on a daily basis, where the Word of God is studied, and Fellowship with the Holy Spirit and Prayers are made on a daily basis. He also provides Vision and Direction for the family's projects in areas, including the following:

i. The planning and budgeting of the family.

ii. Saving money for family investments.

iii. Paying the children's school fees.

iv. Building a family house.

v. Buying a car and maintaining it.

vi. Payment of rent and how to meet the family's day to day needs.

The Authentic husband also provides Protection and a Defensive Wall around his wife and children. He is the head and the saviour of his wife the same way Christ is the Saviour of the Church (Eph. 5:22-23). Any wife who is always falling sick should check if she is violating the covering of her husband by rebelling against his instructions. The husband must also protect his wife from his immediate family. He must also provide emotional, physical, and social support for his wife. The husband should be able to use his Faith to get his wife healed if she is sick. He ought to love his wife and should show affection to her (Eph. 5:25). The husband should think of his wife beyond himself. Love is the Price he must pay in exchange for a Glorious home so he can create a Marriage that's akin to Heaven on Earth (Col. 3:18-19).

God's Kind of Love (Agape) is required in every Godly home. Love is a Sacrificial and Unconditional Action which is initiated by someone on an imperfect person for his/her own good. Love is also a decision and determination to help or assist someone without any strings attached. The Marriage Covenant is a Commitment to love an imperfect person unconditionally for the rest of your life. Love is about giving forgiveness, not speaking harsh words to your wife or husband, and not raising your voice to shout at your spouse. The husband cultivates his wife by teaching and training her and the children through the Word of God (2Tim. 3:16-17). The husband has a God-given responsibility to honour his wife and treat her like the precious jewel that she really is (1Pet. 3:7). That is a vital aspect of being a priest as the husband over one's own household.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, we magnify You today. O Lord, please give us the Grace to continue being Authentic Priests in our homes and fulfil our roles as priests in our families in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.