Florance, a young woman from San Jose, a city renowned for technological innovation as the capital of Silicon Valley, had a dream that changed her life. In her vision, she found herself standing amidst towering skyscrapers, their glass facades reflecting the lights of a world driven by human ingenuity. But beyond the advancements and wealth, a deeper reality was about to be revealed.

As she walked through the heart of the city, she noticed a growing shadow, a force unseen by the natural eye. Suddenly, she was transported to a place she had never seen before—a barren land, dry and cracked under the scorching sun. In the distance stood a lone figure, His body battered and bruised, His face filled with sorrow yet shining with an unexplainable peace. It was Jesus Christ, and He was suffering for the sins of the world.

The Price

Florance felt a pull towards Him, and as she drew closer, the air grew heavy with pain and sorrow. She saw the wounds on His hands and feet, the crown of thorns pressed into His brow. Then, she heard a voice say, “He was pierced for your transgressions, bruised for your iniquities; by His wounds, you are healed.”

At that moment, Florance understood that this was not just a vision—it was a glimpse into the spiritual reality of what Jesus endured. His suffering was not symbolic but deeply real. The weight of sin, sickness, and suffering rested upon Him so that humanity might be free. In the dream, she saw people from all walks of life—engineers, entrepreneurs, students, and families—all walking through San Jose, unaware of the price that had been paid for their redemption.

Jesus turned His eyes to her, and she felt a love so overwhelming that it brought her to her knees. “Without My sacrifice,” He said, “humanity would remain in darkness, burdened by sin, suffering, and separation from God. But I have taken their place. I have endured their punishment. The path to freedom is open.”

Florance saw how He was not just carrying sins but also sickness, anxiety, and pain. The justice of God demanded that sin be punished, but His mercy provided a substitute. Jesus was that substitute. His suffering was not random but part of a divine exchange—His pain for our healing, His death for our life.

As He was whipped by Roman soldiers, every lash was more than physical pain—it was a spiritual transaction. The afflictions that plagued humanity were placed upon Him. And in the moment He cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” He endured the full weight of separation so that no one else would have to.

Florance wept as she realized the depth of His love. She had lived in a city of progress, yet she had been blind to the greatest advancement ever made—the bridge Jesus built between humanity and God through His sacrifice.

The Power of Substitution

The scene shifted, and Florance found herself back in the streets of San Jose. But now, she saw things differently. A veil had been lifted, and she could see chains on people—chains of guilt, fear, sickness, and doubt. Yet above them, in the sky, she saw the cross, glowing with the light of redemption. And then, she understood: The chains had already been broken, but many people did not know it.

Jesus’ suffering was not just about offering forgiveness; it was about full restoration. His sacrifice meant that people no longer had to carry burdens He had already borne. Healing, peace, and freedom were available to all who accepted His gift.

In her dream, she saw a man struggling with sickness, his body frail and weak. A voice whispered, “By His stripes, you are healed.” But the man continued to walk in suffering, unaware that the price for his healing had already been paid. Then, she saw another person weighed down by guilt, believing he was unworthy of God’s love. Yet Jesus had already taken his punishment, making him free. It was then that she realized that many lived as prisoners even though their freedom had already been secured.

Florance remembered how Paul, in the book of Acts, declared his Roman citizenship and was spared from scourging. Unlike Jesus, who remained silent because He bore our punishment, believers today must speak up and declare their freedom. They must refuse to accept guilt, sickness, or fear when Jesus has already taken their place.

As the dream neared its end, she saw Jesus one last time, standing at the city’s edge. “Go and tell them,” He said. “Tell them that the price has been paid. Tell them they are free.”

Florance woke up, tears streaming down her face. The city outside was the same, yet she knew everything had changed. She had seen the truth. And now, she had a mission—to tell the people of San Jose, the city of innovation and progress, that the greatest advancement of all was not in technology but in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

She stepped out of bed with a renewed sense of purpose. The Gospel was not just a story—it was the power of salvation, healing, and restoration. And she would not keep it to herself. The dream had been a gift, a calling, and a revelation. Now, it was time to share it with the world.