Ephesians 5:26

to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

(v26, NIV)

So what did Christ do for the church? He loved the church and gave himself up for her. This was for the purpose of making her holy.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

(Ephesians 2:1-6, NIV)

We were on a path that leads to destruction. We were following the ways of this world and were dead in our transgressions. So Jesus did what he had to do to redeem his bride. This was the only way to make her holy. God stepped in and made a way for us, and Jesus humbly submitted to the father's will.

There is a type of cleansing or washing that takes place. The church is being washed as if washed with water. The water is the word. The cleansing takes place through the word of God. The cleansing occurs through learning and understanding more about God through his word. As husbands, we are to do the same for our wives as Jesus does for the Church. Cleansing by the washing of water through the word is what we have a responsibility to do. We must be able to lead in the biblical teaching of our wife and our family.