This morning, I had the misfortune to read the repulsive story of a punk who fled his car to avoid the police and left his baby behind. After reading it, I was thinking about why we have such a visceral reaction to a story like this. I think it is because God intended for marriage to be a picture of Christ and the church:

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her…”        Ephesians 5:25

A true man is to picture the love of Christ for His church in his love for his wife and children. He should love them to death. Literally. A man fulfilling God’s plan for marriage should be willing to die for his wife and children. That’s what is so repulsive about men who weasel out on their duty; men like the character in the story above, who fled the authorities leaving his infant unprotected and uncared for. There’s something in us that tells us that’s not what a man does. Even our fallen natures know it.