by Elyse Fitzpatrick
That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us.
Romans 8:4

There is no condemnation for us because Jesus Himself perfectly fulfilled all the law in our place, including the laws about relationships and family. Jesus perfectly fulfilled, in His incarnation and in His sinless life, all of God’s rules for family life. Jesus lived a whole and perfect life for you.
So now we come back to our law. We read things like, “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord” and “Let the wife see that she respects her husband.” At Gethsemane, Jesus perfectly submitted to His Father’s will. Think about it, women. Do you think submission is hard for you? He, the second Person of the Trinity, was writhing on the ground underneath the will of His Father, to which He submitted and said, “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42 KJV). Jesus understands all about the difficulties of submission.
Jesus knows what it’s like to love, even when it’s extremely difficult. The law says husbands are to “love [their] wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph. 5:25) and they are not to be harsh with their wives (Col. 3:19). Jesus perfectly loved His bride, the church. From eternity past, before she was ever on the scene—before there was a scene!—He loved her. The Father gave her to the Son, and the Son said, “Yes, I will love her, and I will lay down My life for her.”
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord” (Eph. 6:1). Jesus is the righteous Son who obeyed His Father’s will and submitted to His mother and father, even when they were in the wrong. Luke tells us He submitted to them.
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Jesus was a good father figure to His siblings and supported and cared for them for however many years He spent as the head of their home. He never once provoked them. He brought them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Jesus has fulfilled all of the law for you in your place, if you believe. He’s taken all the punishment you deserve for all the ways you’ve blown it in your family. He’s taken all of the punishment you deserve, and He bore it for you. He is your righteousness.

Thought to Remember for Today

If you believe these words are true, then here is what’s true of you: His record is yours. Wives, you are forgiven, and your record is one of perfect submission and respect. Husbands, you are forgiven, and your record is one of humble love and self-sacrifice. Children, you are forgiven, and your record is one of perfect obedience.

Fitzpatrick, E. (2016). Grace untamed: a 60-day devotional. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook.