Maya’s husband, Roberto, is supposed to be a Christian, but he often acts in unspiritual, immature ways. He feels ashamed of his poor education, which he blames for his business failures. Maya, on the other hand, has deep faith, a strong will and a better education. These gifts make her far more capable than Roberto. Ephesians 5:22-24 astounds her. How can she submit to her husband when he is foolish and unworthy to be head of the home?
Maya wrestles with God’s word. Did Paul understand women and their problems with men? Was Paul giving a typically male view in a male-dominated culture, or was he speaking from God? Maya reviews Ephesians. Paul writes as an apostle (Ephesians 1:1) who gives God’s revelation (Ephesians 3:1-5), the very truth on which the church is built (Ephesians 2:20; 4:11-12). How can she accept Ephesians as true, yet reject the part she finds disagreeable? Through cross-references she finds Paul insisting that his commands come from Christ.
If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37). M
Maya notices that questions like hers confront every Christian in every social position. Jesus and Paul submitted to unworthy, corrupt rulers. Slaves obeyed their masters “in everything” (Colossians 3:22), even if they suffered under bad masters (1 Peter 2:18). Every day, Christians as employees obey bosses that are unspiritual – and often incompetent! Biblical submission, then, has nothing to do with the goodness or worthiness of the specific person to be obeyed. It has everything to do with that person’s position. Christians “honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17), not because he is personally good, but because of his high position. Actually, they honor the heavenly King who gave that earthly position its authority and dignity.5
In the same way, Maya realizes, “the wife must respect her husband” (Ephesians 5:33). Why? Because he always looks respectable? Obviously not! She respects her husband because God gave him a place of authority and dignity. His position as the family head mirrors the higher position of Christ Himself! “For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church…” (Ephesians 5:23). Maya may not grasp fully the “profound mystery” (Ephesians 5:32), but she takes God’s word for it:6 The husband-wife order is important because it is reflects heavenly truths, especially the relationship between Christ and His Bride.
5. Daniel 4:17; 5:18; Romans 13:1,4,6
6. The rest of Maya’s story: Though she never grasped all of God’s reasons, and despite many difficulties, Maya followed God’s instructions in Ephesians 5:22-35. Through the years, she noticed Roberto improving. Her respect for him boosted his sense of worth and ability. As he became less defensive, he consulted with her more, which led to better decisions. Formerly there had been failures, accusations and power struggles that hurt their relationship. Now they built each other up. The best result was eternal: Seeing Maya’s example, Roberto also learned to take God’s word seriously. The whole family benefited from his spiritual leadership. Then the whole congregation benefited as Roberto grew in the qualities of 1 Timothy 2 and was appointed a shepherd, Acts 20:28. But he always wants people to know that God used Maya to reach his stubborn heart, 1 Peter 3:1.