Clueless Clutz...

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (I Peter 3)
Having counselled with a number of couples (and examined my own life...) it amazes me how we men can be such clutzes when it comes to our wives. We are like a bull in a china shop - banging around fracturing the masterpiece we ought to be honoring.  I find it interesting that Peter here refers to honoring one's wife, while Paul talks about wives honoring husbands and husbands loving their wives. Wives are worthy of honor, respect, and special consideration. They are not "weaker" in an inferior way; they are more in tune and in touch. They see things we miss; the understand things we are clueless about. We need them as co-heirs who compliment us and can put us to shame when it comes to prayer. Yes, some of us could stand a charm course, or better yet, learn from your wife some valuable lessons for life. 

And then there's the long version...

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” (Ephesians 5)
Yesterday I posted the one sentence statement by Paul to the Colossians: 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. This is the more detailed version. Paul had his reasons for writing more in this letter, but there is one we need to consider today: Most of us guys need the longer version because we just don't do it well. We need remedial husbandry; we need it 'splained to us; we need a word picture. Here's our job: make them spiritually beautiful; pour out our love on them so abundantly that they bathe in our love for them; care for them so much that they don't develop wrinkles (or at least that they don't show much or really matter). Love her so much you feel alive. Give and give and give not till you have no more to give, but so it flows so freely that it won't shut off. Sacrifice for her. Stick with and to her. Sanctify her.

A friendly, but firm reminder...

19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. (Colossians 3)
One verse. Not a lot of words. Two BIG points. Love you wives. Selflessly do what it is that they need most, even if you have to sacrifice time, money, fun - whatever it is. She is more than worth it.  Do NOT be harsh. Do not threaten her, yell at her, treat her like a child, or expect her to be a man. She is neither. She is a wonder made by God to bless you, not a toy to be used by you. Join with her and together show oneness in Christ. Short and simple, profound and not easy. Man up.  You'll never be sorry you did. 

Greater Responsibilities...

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28)
The disciples had been through a lot following Jesus - especially the intensive week of His passion. When He rose from the dead, it was like they had made it through finals and had a graduation ceremony. But rather than being a time to slack off and relax, their real responsibilities were beginning. They now were to go and preach and practice everything they had learned, not just for a short time, but for the rest of their time on earth. For some reason, we look forward to the end of things: school, work, and other responsibilities, to a time when we think we will have no responsibilities: holidays, summer vacation, and retirement, but the reality is we are always to be responsible. We will always be accountable for what God has entrusted to us: our resources, our relationships, and our calling.  So let's not look forward to no responsibilities. Let's look forward to seeing how God enriches each one of them into eternity. 

Buying Irresponsibility

11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day. (Matthew 18)
These guards were being paid to protect the sealed tomb. Strange, but true.  The chief priests had valid fears - an empty tomb, but for reasons other than they really thought.  They wanted out of this mess once and for all; they were still avoiding responsibility. Like is often done today, they wanted to buy their way out of responsibility. Here, it was paying the soldiers for being irresponsible. That too, sound a lot like our society today: people want to be paid for being irresponsible!  Why can't we, why won't we, all just admit our responsibility?  

Great Responsibilities!

5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Matthew 28)
The angel carried out his responsibility: share the facts, plain and true. That's what angels do.  So did the women.  They ran to tell the disciples, just as they were instructed.  But they did more. When they saw Jesus, they worshipped Him. That too was their responsibility, if not more so. He is worthy of our worship, especially as our risen Lord.  So let's do that today. Like these women, let's stop and worship, then go on without fear and tell others He is risen indeed. 

Faithful visitors...

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. (Matthew 28)
Almost everyone had abandoned Jesus in His final hours of suffering and death, except for these women and those who buried Him.  Now, early in the morning, these women return. Who are you willing to get up for early in the morning? Not many people. And not many people will get up early for you.  That's faithfulness!  But God is also and always faithful.  He sends an angel to wake up the dead and wake up the day. Many of us are not morning people and not ready for that, but we need it.  Morning people can even be scary; what is wrong with them that they can be so joyful so early in the day? But this was the most joyful day in history.  A great day to have some faithful friends around. May today be that kind of day for you - not just that faithful friends will be there for you, but even more so that you will be there for them.