JOHN 9:18-34 WHAT IS YOUR PRICE?

18 The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”

20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God,’” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”

25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?”

28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”

30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

The true test that was being administered through this interrogation was not of the validity of Jesus’ claims, the inquisitors had already made their judgment about him, it was of the man and his parents. After receiving such a great and marvelous gift through Jesus, would they stand and testify on his behalf or would they decide that the cost of such a witness was more than they were willing to pay? The threat of being thrown out of the synagogue, and therefore, being shunned by their neighbors was more than the parents could withstand. The interrogation caused the “blind” man to make a strong testimony about Jesus, which resulted in his being thrown out of the worshipping community.

Everyone who encounters Jesus in this world is faced with the same challenge. As the twentieth century German theologian and martyr, Dietrich Bonheoffer wrote in The Cost of Discipleship, God’s grace is free, but it will cost you everything. What he was saying is that there is no way we can earn God’s grace, because as grace it is freely offered. But if we accept that grace it means a radical departure from our previous life, and since the world rejects Jesus, we as his followers will also face rejection. In biblical terminology, we must die to self and the world and be reborn to God.

All of us have a price that we are willing to pay. All of us have been and will continue to be tested as to that price. The true disciple is the one who dedicates himself to growing in his relationship with Jesus, and through his experience of Jesus and the help of the Holy Spirit pushes that price ever higher.

You, Jesus, are my Lord and my Savior. Grow me in my relationship with you so that no matter the circumstances I will be willing to make that proclamation. Amen.