Christ and the Church

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” Verses 31-32.

It is written that Jesus “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:7-8. He forsook His heavenly Father in order to take upon Himself flesh and blood as a human being. Subsequently, after He had become a man—and while still a human being—He left mankind, and on the cross could say to His mother about John, “Woman, behold, your Son!”

He left His heavenly Father in order to be united with humanity. Then, as a man, He forsook His mother in order to be united in Himself and by Himself with His Bride at His Father’s side. That’s why it is written that no man can come to the Father except by the Son. Only the Son has access to the Father; subsequently, those who receive the Spirit of the Son have access in this Spirit. But, as the Bride of Christ, we will have access to the Father in the resurrection together with Christ, even in the body of His flesh. This is the mystery: Christ “manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels.” But this, “seen by angels,” what is that but that He was raised in righteousness with that flesh which was not to see corruption.

One result of this is that, while we are in the body during our sojourn away from the Lord, we now have access to the Father only in the Spirit, whereas in the resurrection—in His resurrection body—we will have access to the Father bodily as well.