A teacher in ancient China would call one of his students to the front of his room.  He would hold out both hands and explain that one hand held a valuable gold coin and the other was empty.  He would invite the chosen student to choose one hand or the other.  If the student chose the coin, he would be allowed to keep it.  But if he chose the empty hand, the teacher would hit the boy with his clenched fist.  If the student decided not to choose at all, he could return to his seat.  

Because the students knew of the teacher's strength and skill as a fighter, they were afraid to make a choice.  They knew that to be hit by him would result in serious pain.

On the rare occasion the student would choose a hand, the teacher would ask, "Are you sure?"

As the student looked more closely at the teacher's hard fist and even harder scowl, he would invariably change his mind and hurry back to his seat.

Finally, a boy named Chin was called to the front of the room.  Chin's father had been killed in the war, and his family was poor.  Chin needed the coin.

The instructor held out his fists.  Chin studied both hands for a long time.  His classmates stared at him, waiting for him to return to his seat.  Finally Chin pointed to the teacher's left fist.

"Are you sure?" The instructor asked.  Chin nodded.

"Would you like to forget about your choice and return to your seat?"  Chin shook his head no.

The instructor's fist shot out and struck Chin squarely on the jaw, knocking him to the floor.

Chin lay on the floor looking up at this teacher in a daze.  Then the instructor turned both fists over and revealed that each of them held a gold coin.

"You cannot expect anything for free," the teacher told his class.  "There is a price that comes with everything."

The teacher helped Chin to his feet, smiled and placed the gold coins into his hand.  The teacher never repeated the exercise again.

::::: The Point :::::

Commitment and obedience are the price demanded for being a disciple of Jesus. And the cost can result in some pain.  Chin didn't change his mind once he made his decision.  He felt the pain, but Chin received the prize.  The same is true for being a disciple.  Life will through many punches at you, but the benefits of discipleship are invaluable - life in eternity.