Karate Kid: Legends, in theatres now, is a martial-arts drama film and the sixth movie in the Karate Kid franchise. This storyline takes place three years after the conclusion of the TV series, Cobra Kai.

Success or Failure

When Li Fong (Ben Wang) and his mother move to New York City, Li must begin a new life, including attending a prestigious school. He forms a few friendships, but he also makes a few enemies.

On the subway one day, another boy picks a fight with him and gives him a black eye. The other boy is a local karate champion, and Li decides he needs to learn to defend himself. Li asks Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), a kung fu teacher, to guide him. When Li wants to enter the ultimate karate competition, Mr. Han seeks a second teacher for Li: the original Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). Mr. Han implores Daniel to help them, saying, “Li means to me what you meant to Sensei Miyagi.” Daniel agrees to teach Li.

Although the two men practise different forms of martial arts, they teach Li that both have a place. “All our traditions are rooted in history,” Mr. Han explains.

Daniel teaches Li that kung fu and karate are two branches on the same tree. They help Li merge their disciplines into his own unique fighting style.

To motivate Li, Mr. Han says, “In life, we have only one question: Is it worth fighting for or not?” Li’s answer could determine his success or failure, both in karate and in life.

Creating Disciples

Mr. Han is a kung fu expert. Daniel is a karate legend. Both want to pass on their knowledgeto Li.

Similarly, we all have wisdom that could benefit the next generation. We might have old family recipes that our children and grandchildren would love to learn. We might be an expert in our own family history. Maybe we have a skill, such as woodworking or sewing, that the next generation might only learn if we teach them.

Mr. Han and Daniel are trying to create a protégé in Li. They want him to learn their form of martial arts and become just like them—or even more skilled than they are.

Teaching someone to be our protégé is fine but, as Christians, we have a higher calling: discipleship.

A protégé is someone we’ve taught to be like us, but a disciple is someone who is learning to be like Jesus. A disciple is someone who follows Jesus and His teachings, not only with their words but with their actions. A disciple allows themself to be transformed by Jesus’ example. They aren’t the same person they were before they began their relationship with Jesus. And true disciples make Jesus’ mission their own goal as well.

In Matthew 28:19-20 (English Standard Version), we read the Great Commission, the last words Jesus spoke to His disciples before ascending to heaven. It says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

It was Jesus’ mission and, as Christians, it must be ours, too.

Pointing the Way

Just to be clear, God understands that we won’t ever be perfect disciples. Just look at the 12 flawed men Jesus chose as His disciples when He was here on earth. Matthew, a dishonest tax collector. Peter, a fisherman who denied Jesus three times. And Judas, the one who betrayed Him for a few pieces of silver. Just like them, we will often fail in our efforts to follow Jesus’ example. He loved each of us so much that He was willing to die for us. Yet we frequently place our own needs above those of other people.

These frequent failures are the reason why we should never strive to create a protégé. If we teach another person to follow us, eventually, we will lead them down the wrong path. We’re human, and, by definition, we’re flawed. But when we teach people to follow Jesus—to become His disciple—they will model themselves after the only perfect person to ever live.

In the original Karate Kid movie, Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel that iconic “wax on, wax off” lesson. Daniel thought he was just being used as free labour to wax Mr. Miyagi’s car, but he was learning the basics of karate without realizing it.

The Christian life can be like that. Often, God allows us to experience challenges and disappointments to teach us something important. It can be painful in the moment, but when we look back, we see the purpose. Sharing the wisdom we’ve gained during difficulties is a powerful way to encourage others to walk closely with God. We don’t want others to be like us. We want to point them to Jesus.

Illustration: Courtesy of Sony Pictures