LOVE HURTS!

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” Isaiah 53:5

Easter - time is here again, the most holy season in the Christian calendar when we celebrate Christ’s death on the cross for the redemption of mankind and His resurrection from the grave after three days.

My thoughts are drawn to the cross, the timeless symbol of Christ’s suffering, pain and passion. As I gaze at the cross the scene unfolds, He is beaten, bruised and tortured; he took the punishment that I deserved all for the sake of love. The cross remains, the powerful symbol of the triumph of God over evil, Faith that endures, unfailing love and the hope of eternal life. No wonder it strikes fear into the enemies of God!

I first fell in love with Jesus when I was eleven years old. I remember sitting in church and the preacher preached the Easter sermon, the story of the Cross penetrated my heart. After the sermon we all sang this song:

“How can you refuse Him now, how can you refuse Him now, how can you turn away from His side, with tears in His eyes, on the cross where He died, how can you refuse Jesus now?”

My little heart broke into pieces and I prayed asking Jesus to come into my heart and be my friend.

I’m still broken every time I hear the Easter story, such passion, and such pain! As I wonder about His pain I see Jesus the man, I gaze into His unrecognisably battered face His bloodied eyes convey a pain so deep it pierces His mothers heart. It’s a pain of rejection and loss. We read that Christ is silent throughout all the physical pain; He goes like a lamb to the slaughter. Yet the pain that caused Him to cry out on the Cross “My God , my God, why have you forsaken me” is heart rending pain of rejection, feeling separated from His Father, most amazing of all is that these words are so closely followed by the words; “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. Amidst His pain, Jesus offers forgiveness.

I guess we have all suffered differing degrees of pain and loss, be it physical, emotional or both. This Easter, remember, Christ suffered and died so that you don’t have to suffer alone, He offers forgiveness from sin and freedom from guilt and fear, healing and comfort for the broken hearted.

If you haven’t already, Invite Jesus into your heart and let Him be your friend this Easter!

We’ll be spending the Easter holidays at Spring Harvest in Minehead and Skegness and do hope that you will take the time to visit our stand, where we will be exhibiting some of our latest jewellery designs.

Love and blessings in Jesus,

Norma & Co
Norma J Murrain, Jewellery Designer