The Imitation of a Mystery (Second Draft)

Ephesians 5:22–33 ESV

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Introduction

Nas in 1996 came out with the album “It Is Written.”

Album: It Was Written

Released: 1996

In it he had a song entitled, “If I ruled the world.” It featured Lauryn Hill, who at the time was iconic and till this day one of, if not the best female MC of all time.

The single was Nas's first Top 20 R&B hit, and was also nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. The single reached number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 17 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, and number 15 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart.

I remember when the song came out how amazed I was. It had one of the best MC’s of all time and Lauryn Hill.

It was one of the best combinations ever in a single track. A classic in Hip Hop.

But there was something about the song that many at the time didn’t know about. There was some history involved that made the song what it was.

There was something about the song that many of the younger generation had no idea about. There was more to the song than people knew.

There was more to the song than people knew.

The hook (The chorus) wasn’t original. The sample used for the beat wasn’t original. They came from somewhere else.

The beat wasn’t original.

They came from somewhere else.

The sample used came from a song made by Whodini called, “Friends” which was released in 1984.

The lyrics to the hook that Lauryn Hill sang came from a song entitled, “If I ruled the world” by Kurtis Blow in 1985.

Lauryn Hill added to the hook, “Walk Right Up To The Sun” which was taken from The Delfonics who released their song in 1972.

So here’s what is more amazing about the track.

It is based on the 1985 hit of the same name by rapper Kurtis Blow and samples the beat of "Friends" by Whodini. Lauryn Hill's verse interpolates the song "Walk Right Up To The Sun" by The Delfonics from 1972.

Nas and Lauryn Hill took three things from three different songs and made one song. A classic in Hip Hop. The hook (the chorus) from another song matched the sample.

This song had different elements in it from different people and yet it added to a hit.

But there was a history of works that contributed to the song that many had no clue about.

came from completely different songs and they produced a banger.

There was a history that contributed to the song that many had no clue about.

Nas and Lauryn Hill would have not come out with this track if not for The Delfonics, Kurtis Blow and Whodini.

This song was the result of something prior to it. Something that many did not even have a clue of. Something that if not done, the song would have never been what it was.

I believe Paul speaks of marriage in our text the same way.

Earthly marriage in itself is not by itself. There is a mystery about it.

There is something hidden that has not been revealed about earthly marriage.

that not only contributes to the meaning of what marriage is. The history

There is something about marriage, that is not done, marriage would have never come to be.

There is a mystery that if believed in and revealed will make sense, not only of our marriages but our existence.

There is something about marriage, that is not done, marriage would have never come to be.

I believe that the core problem of marriages today is the void of revelation about this very thing Paul speaks of in our text.

How can one truly change what is wrong in their marriages without knowing what marriage is for and about?

Why marriage and what is it for?

About Ephesians

Ephesians can be read side by side with Colossians. They both share similar styles and themes. I’d encourage you to read Colossians.

Themes like

Many agree that Ephesians can be structured into two parts.

From chapters 1 to 3 it can be seen as doctrinal.

Chrysostom spoke Ephesians as “overflowing with lofty thoughts and doctrines”

From chapters 4 to 6