Who's Going to Pay for all that Pain!

She stood there at the podium, silently poised to strike. Seven thousand faces pointed her way. Seven thousand hearts hung on every word. This woman was on a crusade to avenge the hurts which had been afflicted on her sisters.

One by one she enumerated the sins of imaginary aggressors of the past. One by one, the women in the audience gave names and faces to those aggressors. Victimized by mental, emotional and verbal abuse, these women were re-living the pain they had endured for so long. Some of them had been sexually molested and physically abused.

Deep, deep sufferings came to the surface. Hidden pain erupted in suppressed sobs throughout the crowd. Memories were being awakened. Unwanted and hated memories were coming alive. No one else would have been allowed to bring back such agony, but these women had hope. They hoped against hope that this speaker had the answers which had eluded them for so many years, answers that would lead to the healing of their souls.

Her voice rang out loud and clear against the injustice of the years. They were remembering the sins that husbands and fathers had inflicted on those whom they were supposed to love and protect. They recalled sins of other relatives, people who should have loved and respected them. This was not just a matter of humanity against humanity. It was family against family. People who should have been bonded together in trusting ties of love and cooperation were driven apart by betrayal and hatred. Jesus had it right when He said, "Our foes would be those from within our own household. Our enemies would be from our own flesh and blood." How could He have known that?

From the time of Cain and Abel, such things have happened over and over again. It is one thing for man to be against man and for nation to be against nation. But who devised this subtle and vicious war of pitting men against women? But, then who invented bullies, the strong taking advantage of the weak. Has it not always been? Men who dominate and suppress the masses are dictators. Dictators are weak men who do not have the strength to rule righteously.

Weak men also oppress their wives and their families. They selfishly indulge in affairs and unfaithfulness of every kind. They rule in anger and control by fear. They live for themselves and do not know the love of God or the gentleness of the Holy Spirit. Religious men are no exception. From within their ranks comes some of the greatest offenses.

Which nation would not like to rise up in rebellion against it’s unjust rulers? Which family would not like to cast off the heavy mantle of authority which is being used against them instead of for them?

Here now was a champion of the abused, a leader of the hurting, speaking eloquently against the tyranny of the ages. Like the best of all lawyers, she painted a graphic case against the adversaries. Bit by bit and piece by piece, she filled in the horrible details Finally, with a voice sure and strong, she cried out, "Who is going to pay for all this pain?"

Silence filled the stadium as she let those words sink in. It seemed forever before she spoke again, but it was only to cry out again, "Who, I say, is going to pay for all this pain? Please tell me who is going to pay for all this pain? Will someone please stand up and tell me who is going to pay for all this pain?"

The question went unanswered. The women were getting uncomfortable. None of them knew the answer. None of them knew what to say. None of them knew where this speech was going to go from here. The speaker herself had no answer for her own question. She just knew that it needed to be asked. She needed to speak for her silent sisters. She needed to voice their hurts and their questions. So, once again her clarion call rang throughout the building, "Who, is going to pay for all this pain?

The silence was broken by a flurry of sounds and activity in the very back of the crowd. People were moving, subtle murmurs ebbed and flowed. The crowd was parting, making room for someone who was moving toward the podium. Like a knife, slowly cutting it’s way through the crowd, one lone figure moved relentlessly toward the front.

The speaker’s eyes were riveted to this ongoing movement, wondering who would dare to interrupt her speech. Suddenly, the focus of everyone’s awe appeared. It was a man. A man dressed in white. He wore the ancient flowing robe of Bible days. He had the appearance of the Jesus we’ve seen in pictures and in the movies. Who could He be? What was He doing here in this crowd? What was He going to do?

He carefully climbed the steps of the platform and strode directly to the podium. He stood, silently looking into the eyes of the speaker. He looked with eyes of love and tenderness. Those eyes! There could be no other eyes in the whole world like that. They could be none other than the eyes of the Lord Jesus Himself.

The speaker suddenly crumpled to her knees. She cupped her face in her hands and sobbed violently. He stood there and allowed her the freedom of many tears. Then, he gently reached down and pulled her to her feet. She wanted to cry out, "Oh my Lord, Oh my God!" but, no words would come from her mouth.

He continued to face the speaker and not the microphone, but His words rang out over the crowd as though He were holding the microphone right to His lips. He said:

"You have asked a question which demands an answer. I have come to answer that question. You want to know who is going to pay for all the pain you have felt and for all the sufferings you have endured. I have come to tell you that I will pay. I will pay for all the pain, the hurts, the offenses, the abuse and all the suffering.

You know that I have already paid for the sins of the whole world. You know that on the cross I paid for the sins of every man, woman, boy or girl who has ever lived and for everyone who may ever live. I made one total, complete and final sacrifice for all sin, for all time.

However, I am able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all you could ever ask or think. I am willing pay again for the sins of the individuals who have caused you such great pain. I am willing to compensate you for any loss you have sustained. I am willing to pay for any pain and suffering you have endured because of them. Yes, I am willing to pay for their sins.

Name your price. What do you want? Do you want financial compensation? Would money make the difference? Do you want mental and emotional blessings? Do you want physical healing or better health? Would you like spiritual blessings for you and your family in this life? Would you like a spiritual inheritance and eternal rewards?

I am willing to pay for their sins. I am willing to make it up to you. But, you cannot demand payment from both of us. You cannot bill two insurance companies for one loss. That is not right. You must either demand judgement and punishment for your assailants and your adversaries or ask Me to pay for their sins. But, you can’t have both. I am willing to do my part to get you back on track and going in a good direction. I don’t mind. I am a Savior. I am used to paying for the sins of others. It is a part of my nature. I can handle it. All I ask is that you release them from the need to pay for their own sins. I merely ask that you forgive them. Release them into the hand of an all wise God; a God who is fair and equitable in all of His dealings. If I assume their indebtedness, then let Me decide if and when and how they must suffer for what they have done. It will be My call and My decision from the time you release them to Me. It will then be My responsibility to pay for what they have done. But, I cannot do my part until you have released them into My hand. The forgiveness must be thorough, genuine and complete. You must let it go and turn it all over to me.

If you do not forgive them and if you do not let go of your grievances against them, then know that I am still going to pay and keep on paying for their sins in another way. The Holy Spirit is my representative in the earth. He is in you, and as long as you refuse to release your offenders from your judgements, he must remain grieved with you. He must feel your hurt and your pain endlessly. He will suffer with you on their account. Their sins will continue to grieve and vex Him, because you have refused to let it go. Yes, the Holy Spirit will have to pay for what they have done. You will see to it that the Holy Spirit pays and pays and pays and I and the Holy Spirit are one.

For every day that you delay your forgiveness, you are crushing another thorn into my brow and driving another nail into my hand. I already paid on the cross, but when I live in you, an unforgiving person, I am compelled to pay again for the sins of those who have wronged you.

For every day that you refuse to release them into the hands of the Father, you are crucifying Me afresh. You are bringing pain to your Savior. Perhaps I should cry out, "Who will pay for the pain you are causing Me?" But, I know the answer already. There is no one to take My pain. There is no one to pay for My sufferings. I must bear it alone, even as I did on the cross.

Will you hand Me vinegar to drink in the hour of my grief. Will you feed Me your bitterness of spirit and your unkind feelings. Will you make Me endure your hate-filled thoughts? Will you taunt Me and ask Me to save Myself? I cannot. You are the only one who can save Me from the anguish I feel while you remain angry, resentful and bitter. You are the only one who can release Me from the agony of hatred and from the spirit of murder. Why would you lock love and hatred together in the same cell and refuse to let either one of them go?

I paid for the sins of your enemies on the cross. I am paying now. I am still willing to pay you for what they have done. But only if you will forgive them and release Me from all those ugly feelings which you have troubled Me with for so long.

Would you do that one thing for your Master, for your Savior, for your God and your King? Is that too much to ask of you? Or do you not believe Me when I say I will more than adequately compensate you for anything you have lost or endured for My name’s sake? If you do not forgive, you are suffering for your own sake. But, if you forgive, your pain and suffering will have been for My sake. I will never remain indebted to anyone. Do you believe this? Then, please declare them forgiven and release Me to bless you more abundantly. Will you do this for Me?"

That question hung in the air while He stood, silently waiting for an answer. The woman’s face was to the ground. Her body was being racked by sobs. She could not raise herself up, much less answer the question, but He waited patiently. He knew what was going on inside her. He understood. The rest of the women quietly wept, answering the question in their own minds, yielding to the Spirit in their own way.

The woman finally became still and He reached down, gently pulling her to her feet. He looked into her eyes. Love flowed from Him into her.

In total brokenness she cried out, "Yes, Lord. I will forgive. I accept the price You paid for the sins of the world. I am grateful for the pain and suffering You have already endured. I will gladly take up my cross and follow You. I will accept my own pain. I will suffer silently until I’m healed or until I come home to You. I will forgive and even teach others to forgive. I will believe that it is all worthwhile. I will believe in Your power and ability to compensate me for anything that I’ve suffered or lost on Your account. I will walk in faith toward You. I love you, Jesus! What would I ever do without You? You are all I really need.

I will follow You.