“They Put Him Out”
Seeking Jesus First - April 17, 2026
“They Put Him Out”
Please Read John 9:18–23 (NKJV)
Reflection
The miracle could not be denied — the man who had been born blind could now see. But instead of rejoicing, the religious leaders launched an investigation. They called in the man’s parents and questioned them.
The parents knew the truth. They knew their son had been born blind. They knew he could now see. Yet their response was filled with fear:
“We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.”
Why such fear? Because the Jewish leaders had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. To be cast out meant social and spiritual isolation — cut off from the community, the temple, and the only religious system they had ever known.
The parents chose self-preservation over truth. They passed the responsibility back to their son and stayed silent.
Then we read these sobering words in verse 22: “His parents said these things because they feared the Jews.”
This is the cost of standing for Jesus. Sometimes following Him costs us acceptance from religious systems, family, or community. The healed man was about to learn this the hard way. In the very next verses, he would be cast out of the synagogue for refusing to deny what Jesus had done for him.
In the Kingdom life, we must count the cost. Jesus never promised that following Him would make us popular with every religious system. He warned us that the world would hate us because it hated Him first. But He also promised that whoever loses his life for His sake will find it.
True discipleship is not about staying safe inside comfortable systems. It is about standing for Jesus even when it costs us acceptance, reputation, or belonging.
Application
Today, ask the Holy Spirit to show you any place where fear of losing acceptance is keeping you silent about Jesus. Renew your mind with this truth: Sometimes following Jesus costs us acceptance from religious systems or people, but it never costs us more than He is worth. Is there a relationship, a group, or a situation where you have been tempted to stay silent or compromise to keep the peace? Choose today to speak truth in love. Stand for Jesus even if it costs you favor. Your courageous stand may be the very thing that leads someone else to see Him clearly.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of the man born blind who refused to deny what Jesus had done for him. Forgive us for the times we have chosen silence or compromise out of fear of losing acceptance. Renew our minds today to understand that following Jesus is worth any cost. Give us courage to stand for truth even when it costs us favor with people or religious systems. Help us value Your approval far above the approval of men. May our lives reflect bold, honest loyalty to Jesus, no matter the price. In His name, giving thanks for the living Word of the Lord. Amen.