To Serve & Protectಮಾದರಿ

3. To Serve Your Castle

“And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” – Ephesians 5:21 (NLT)

Have you ever wanted to be the king of the castle?

In director Ridley Scott’s 2010 adaptation of Robin Hood, starring Russel Crowe, there’s a scene where King John has gathered his countrymen before battle. The countrymen’s confidence in their king is failing, until Robin steps up to the scene. In a rousing speech Robin speaks of equality and empowerment.

In turn, the king asks whether Robin would want a castle for every man then? To this Robin responds by saying that, “every Englishman’s home is his castle!”

Imagine if every man would start thinking of and managing his home as his castle. Whether you live in a bachelor’s flat, or a mansion, it does not matter. In God’s Kingdom every godly man’s home is his castle to serve and protect!

As the man of the house, you are also called to lead your house. But leadership equates to servitude. If service is below you, leadership is beyond you. Just look at the example our King Jesus set for us. Not leading like a tyrant with terror and demands, but rather as a servant set apart to share His life and liberty with all.

In today’s reading from Ephesians 5, Paul is appealing that men lead their homes in the same manner that Christ leads the church. Jesus even laid down His life to save His bride, the church. But it is not only that Christ died for our sake, but He also lived for it!

Jesus could have come down to earth in all His glory, making a statement for salvation and then being an offering for our sin, still rising on the third day. The whole process could have taken him three days in entirety if He wanted to. But instead, Jesus chose to take 30-plus years. He chose to live among people, share in their struggles, experience their humanity to its fullness, and still do this as a servant. And this does not take away His authority, in fact, it adds to it! Laying down his life for us did not only mean dying and rising from the dead, but it also meant sharing His life in our context.

Likewise, in our home life it is not as much about taking the bullet for our wives and families but rather biting the bullet. It is not about dying for them but living for them! Often setting aside our own ambitions. Washing the dishes instead of washing our hands in abdication. Taking out the trash literally as much as keeping the trash out figuratively. Supporting from the sideline, while also fighting for them on the frontline.

You are both the gatekeeper and governor of your castle, your home. Simultaneously the general and the janitor. You can be your family’s inspiration and instructor. You should be both an example and an encouragement to them. You should live and lead like Jesus!

And as a young man, possibly not yet married, maybe even still living in your parent’s home, this is no less applicable. Start preparing yourself to be the man of your house now as a young man already. Honor your parents, then find your own feet and become the man God is calling up sooner rather than later.

Any castle that will last is built from the ground up. Laying first the foundation before raising the tower’s flag. Jesus went from the stable where He was born, to the table where He served, to the cross where He died and then to the crown in heaven to be glorified.

Read Ephesians 5:25 – 6:4 and Reflect on the following…

• What do you observe about Christ’s sacrifice for His bride and people?
• How can you practically lay down your life for your bride and your castle?
• Which of your own wants, your own needs, your own ambitions can you sacrifice for your household’s sake?
• What do you need to pray about today?