I read an offbeat news item from the Netherlands a few years ago. A Dutch woman named Jennifer Hoes got married—to herself. According to Dutch and German newspaper reports, she wore a wedding gown and stood before a registrar with her family as witnesses and promised to “love, respect and honor” herself in good times and in bad.
If you want a successful marriage, the first thing you must come to terms with is that you did not marry yourself. You married another person with different needs than you have.
In Colossians 3:18-19. Paul pointed out that there is a unique need in your partner that you must meet. Husbands, your wife most needs your security-giving love. Wives, your husband needs your confidence-building respect.
In last Sunday’s message, I talked about how husbands and wives have different needs, face different challenges, and yet follow the same example. Husbands and wives simply need to be Jesus for each other. You can watch the lesson online by clicking here.
Of course, I’m reminded of a mother who was preparing pancakes for her little sons. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.
She told the boys, “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.’
The older boy turned to the younger boy and said, ‘You be Jesus.’
Sometimes we might be tempted to tell our marriage partner, “I’m tired of being Jesus; you be Jesus today!” But let’s keep trying to follow Christ’s example every day in every way.
Tom
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