Section 3A - Jesus' Love for His Church:

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. ²⁴ But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also 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 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless. ²⁸ So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; ²⁹ for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, ³⁰ because we are members of His body. ³¹ For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh. ³² This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. ³³ Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband. (NAS)

In Ephesians 5:22-32, it speaks of the great love that Jesus has for His church:

• Christ is the head of the church (His body or bride), as the husband is head of the wife (verse 23).
• Christ himself is the Savior of the body...the church (verse 23).
• The church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be subject to their husbands (verse 24).
• Christ loved the church (His bride) and gave Himself up for her, so husbands should love their wives in the same manner (verse 25).
• Christ gave Himself up for her (the church...His bride) that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word (verse 25-26).
• Christ gave Himself up for her (the church...His bride) that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless. (verse 25, 27).

Question:

According to Ephesians 5:29-30, why does Christ nourish and cherish the church?

1. Because of those who are members of it (those who are members of the church -- His body).
2. It is a command of God that Jesus has to follow.
3. Christ doesn't nourish or cherish the church.