Today’s Scripture
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25, ESV
Today’s Devotional
Once upon a time a noble knight married a beautiful princess, and they lived happily ever after. For a while. And then came a dragon who started stealing from the princes — a memory here, and idea there. A story. A smile. A thought. The dragon was quiet and sneaky. It took a while before people realized things were missing. There came a day when the noble knight realized he couldn’t save his princess, but he could stand by her to the end. So, he did.
This is no fairy tale. It’s the real-life story of Robertson and Muriel McQuilkin. Robertson was the president of Columbia International University. He was at the peak of his career when his wife Muriel was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. As her condition worsened, Robertson realized he could either continue to lead the university or care for his wife. He chose sacrificial love for his wife. “It’s not that I have to,” he said, “It’s that I get to. I promised that in sickness and in health till death do us part,” he told school leaders, “And I’m a man of my word.”
For the next 13 years, Robertson put his career and accomplishment aside to focus on the greater work of caring for his wife. “Husbands, love your wives,” the Apostle Paul encouraged men in the church at Ephesus. “Love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25, ESV).
Robertson would be the first to say he’s not a knight in shining armor. He’s just a husband who loved his wife and honored his commitment to her. But his story points us to Christ’s sacrificial love for His Bride, the Church. That’s the challenge that men are asked to accept. To love our wives as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for her.Robertson
Yes, it’s a sacrifice, but it’s a sacrifice every noble knight is willing to accept.
Today’s Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus’ sacrificial love. Help us love each other the way you love us. Amen.
