“Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior. Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands.”
Ephesians 5:22-24
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026
Devotional written by Dick Thompson, Seasoned Adults Pastor
FLOW
These images of the head and body do not depict an organization with ranks and job descriptions, but rather a mutually interdependent organism. How would your head fare without your body? Or your body without your head? This is not about privilege or status, but about mutual support.
Case in point. I’ve just seen a photo of my 73-year-old self. I ask in disbelief, “Who is that old guy?” This after a bad dream the night before—I’m in a little room without windows, feeling forgotten. I’m discouraged. At breakfast, I share all this with Suzanne. It feels like a confession. “Here I am.” She listens without arguing. She hears me all the way through. When I’m done, a little smile curls on her face, and I feel a little lighter inside. I can receive her reminder: “The Father doesn’t look on the outside, but what’s on the inside.” I thank her for being such an amazing listener.
We’re experiencing the kind of relationship described in these verses. The verb “be subject” (HUPOTASSO) conveys the idea of aligning oneself to serve as a conduit for the flow. Given what precedes this passage, we could read, “Wives, allow the flow of Christ’s love to pour through you into your husbands as Christ pours into you.” Lord knows how husbands need help, just as the head needs the body! I felt my joy revive through Suzanne’s willingness to allow the flow of Christ’s love through her to me.
The same organic “logic” applies to husbands who are the “head,” as Christ is the head of the church. Head can mean “source,” as in “headwaters.” The husband serves his wife as the head takes care of the body by receiving Christ’s love in and through his own submitted life. As he “leads” with this kind of humility, Christ’s love flows most effectively for the good of both husband and wife, the family, and life together in the worshiping community.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
The greatest sacrifice we can offer you is a surrendered heart. Help us, as husbands and wives, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, grandparents, and fellow servants in the body of Christ, to become conduits of your life-changing love. Amen.