Lisa-Jo challenges us on Fridays to write about a topic for 5 minutes... no editing allowed. Hard for me? We'll see! :) This is my first 5-minute Friday. Here we go...

GO.

Today is a good time to stop and think about the real meaning of "hard love."

But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5

When you think about the cross, what do you think about? Do you think about the images of crosses that we see as Christians? Maybe you think about Jesus hanging there. Maybe you think about the forgiveness and are thankful.

Do you ever stop to really think about the pain?

Imagine for a minute the man we call our Savior, in numbing pain from a series of beatings, carrying a heavy wooden cross to Calvary. He can barely walk because of the weakness that has overtaken Him. When He gets up the hill, completely exhausted, His body is then pierced with nails. As the men hammer the nails into his hands and feet, his flesh is pierced, and blood streams out. When the cross is raised, it is dropped into the ground, thus pulling more at the wounds in his body. Oh the pain. Then think about the mental anguish as He cries, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" The aloneness in that incredible last moment on the cross.

As we approach Easter and we think about our Savior, may we remember the hard love that He suffered for us... and be eternally thankful.

STOP.

Would you like to join us in 5-Minute Fridays? Stop by Lisa-Jo's blog and jump in!