In John 17 Jesus is praying, shortly before his arrest, trials, and crucifixion. This is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus, and in verses 20-23 he says, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
One of the greatest concerns Jesus had shortly before his death was the unity of the believers. And with good cause. As much as people like to say we are a divided nation, the divisions among people were much greater back in Jesus’ day.
You’ve heard the stories from the Bible. Jesus speaks to a woman at a well and his disciples are amazed. Why? Because men aren’t supposed to speak to women. The woman herself is amazed. Why? Because Jews and Samaritans aren’t supposed to speak to one another. One of the most famous of the parables that Jesus told, one that greatly offended his Jewish audience, is one that we call “The Good Samaritan.” The parable of the rich man and Lazarus showed the attitude the rich had toward the poor. Jesus himself was continually berated by the religious establishment for being a friend to prostitutes, tax collectors, and all kinds of sinners.
And although Jesus started to break down these barriers, they apparently still existed 25 years later when Paul wrote, in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
When Paul wrote this, he was telling the church a profound truth that should have unified them, brought them closer together. Faith in Jesus Christ is bigger than ethnic differences, like being Jewish or Greek. Faith in Jesus Christ is bigger than social class, like being slave or free. Faith in Jesus Christ is bigger than gender differences, like being male or female. Faith in Jesus Christ is what brings us together as one, bigger and more important than anything that artificially divides us.
What are some of the things that cause division in the church? (Things like race, denomination, and styles of worship separate us as churches. What, though, separates us inside the church?)
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Paul writes similarly in Romans 12:16, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”
So what’s the problem? If God sees us all the same, on a level playing field, why are there still divisions within the church? What is it in the church that pulls us apart instead of drawing us together? (Romans 12:16 says do not be proud and do not be conceited.)
What’s the answer?
Ephesians 5:15-21: “Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Submit to one another. Why? Out of reverence for Christ. The filling of the Spirit and our reverence for Christ allow us to submit to one another.
Submit to One Another
When Paul talks about submission, he starts with those in society who were already expected to submit: wives, children, and slaves. Colossians 3:18-22, 4:1: Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 4:1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
To those who had no right in society to make a decision, Paul gives them to decision as to whether or not they will submit. But notice also that Paul has instructions for the culturally dominant partner in each relationship. What does Paul tell the husbands, fathers, and masters to do?
Although they are not told to submit, these commands demanded a great deal of submission in that cultural setting. While this teaching would not cause the wife, child, and slave to change their behavior at all, the husband, father, and master would dramatically change their behavior.
And then Paul writes, in Ephesians 5:21, submit to one another.
Submit to one another. That’s not how our culture works, is it?
What does it mean to submit to someone else? (Professional wrestling, MMA. Usually we think of submission as making someone else give up and do what you want them to do.)
That’s what the dictionary says. The dictionary definition of submission is “to give over or yield to the power or authority of another.” The Greek word for submission was originally a military term meaning “to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader”. In non-military use, it was “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden”. In Biblical use:
Luke 2:51: Obedient.
Luke 10:17: Submit.
Romans 8:20: Was subjected; was forced to do something.
1 Cor. 15:27-28: For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
James 4:7: Submit yourself.
1 Peter 5:5: Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submission is not supposed to be regarded as humiliating, but is a sign of humility.
Ephesians 5:21: Submitting yourselves… (KJV): Submitting is something we choose to do, not something we are forced to do.
If in submission there is the idea of rank, or giving in, or giving up, or being forced to do something, what does that say about the one who submits? (MMA, wrestling; the one who submits is not as good, weaker, inferior.)
Jesus is the ultimate example and pattern for us when it comes to submission in all our relationships. Jesus lived a perfect life. Why did he do that? He was tempted in every way; why live a perfect life? In obedience to the Father.
Even though he was innocent of any crime, he went to the cross and was crucified. Why? Is this what he hoped would happen? Matthew 26:39a: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” And as he was being arrested, Matthew 26:53, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” A Roman legion numbered 6000; why not call down 72,000 angels?
Philippians 2:5-8: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross!
Jesus’ submission to the Father proves false the misconception that biblical submission means that the one who submits is in some way inferior. Submission is not about who is better or more important. Men and women, ethnic groups, and social classes are equal in God’s sight. We are all different in many ways, which was God’s brilliant design, but the reason Christians are told to submit to one another has nothing to do with them being inferior people, anymore than Jesus’ submission has anything to do with him being inferior.
We, as followers of Christ, are to follow Christ’s example and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Submission is a benefit because it means we are imitating Jesus Christ – we are becoming more like him – since he is the one who modeled submission by submitting to God the Father. And in doing so, he submitted to us. Jesus submitted to you and me when he died on the cross.
If Jesus submitted to us, how much more should we submit to each other?
We don’t like to submit, and we don’t want to submit, so how can we do this? It’s like the old story about a father disciplining his son. “Sit down,” the man says, and the boy refuses. “I said sit down,” the father demands, but the boy continues to stand. The father grabs the boy’s shoulders and forcibly puts him into the chair, whereupon the boy says, “I may be sitting down on the outside, but I’m standing up on the inside.”
It’s not enough to stand up on the inside when you’re sitting down on the outside; how can we truly let go of having to have our own way and submit to one another?
Ephesians 5:15-21: “Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
The spiritual discipline of submission finds its source and strength in the filling of the Holy Spirit (18b).
What would the world look like if we all lived like this? What would the world look like if we all submitted to one another?
It might look like Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
It might look like Romans 12:10-21: Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
It might look like 1 Peter 2:21-23: To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 ”He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
A man named Steve Beck relates the following story: “Driving down a country road, I came to a very narrow bridge. In front of the bridge, a sign was posted: “YIELD.” Seeing no oncoming cars, I continued across the bridge and to my destination. On my way back, I came to the same one-lane bridge, now from the other direction. To my surprise, I saw another YIELD sign posted. Curious, I thought, “I’m sure there was one posted on the other side.” When I reached the other side of the bridge I looked back. Sure enough, yield signs had been placed at both ends of the bridge. Drivers from both directions were requested to give right of way.”
Most of the time in life, there’s nobody coming at us on the bridge. Most of the time we get our way and just go right on across. But every now and then there’s somebody coming right at us, and there’s the potential for a huge collision. Submitting to one another is simply a reasonable and gracious way to let the other have the right of way and avoid interpersonal head-on collisions.
