Late one night, Daniel comes over to Miyagi’s house and finds his master drunk and grieving. Daniel learns that night that Miyagi fought in WWII and had a wife who died in childbirth, losing his whole family while away at war. Daniel sees Miyagi’s humanity, his weakness, his vulnerability, and Miyagi allows it. In the end, this brings Daniel into more intimacy with Miyagi, and he actually respects his master more.
One of the problems with mature Christians is that they think that because they still have their own issues, they aren’t supposed to be put in any sort of leadership position. Or perhaps they are in a leadership position, whether by default or by intention, and therefore they seek to put on a facade of perfection and togetherness that is false. The danger of this is that it gives the young in Christ a false perception of what maturity is. Maturity in Christ is not the absence of problems or issues or weakness, but rather the greater wisdom in how to deal with them. This is exactly the wisdom that needs to get passed down, as others see these reactions and truths played out in real life conflicts and situations.
It is difficult to see our fathers as human, but it makes maturity all the more attainable. We have compounded this problem in the Church by placing our leaders in organized, isolated positions that necessitate a pedestal mentality. We need to see them as human. This is of the utmost importance in discipleship.
Those closest to Jesus saw him in his issues. They saw how he handled his nagging mom, his unbelieving brothers, his anger towards the religious, his struggle to give up his own life to the will of the father. They saw him weak in his humanity but victorious in his divinity. When I read Christ struggling to follow the will of his father, I am strangely comforted, because he still obeyed and was considered perfect and righteous. Therefore, I am allowed to be weak, to struggle, to look like less so Christ can be victorious in me through my obedience despite my weakness.
Paul also gloried in his weakness. Why? So that people could see that his ministry was only by the strength of God.
We need vulnerable leaders in the Body of Christ. Otherwise we will perpetuate a cycle of false maturity that does more harm than good.
Next we have Daniel’s birthday. Miyagi gives him two presents. First, he gives Daniel a karate uniform with Miyagi’s family logo on the back. Second, he gives Daniel his choice of classic cars in the yard. Of course Daniel picks the yellow one.
This is another important concept in discipleship. Intimacy between the mature and the learner results in a passing on of heritage and legacy. Timothy was forever shaped by the legacy he received from Paul. Paul was forever shaped by the legacy he received from Barnabas, and so on. You are family in a very real way. You have shared intimate things. Because of this spiritual relationship, spiritual legacies are passed on.
This is why discipleship is essential in the Body of Christ. We are not to only pass on knowledge and wisdom, but real spiritual authority and gift to handle that wisdom. That only happens through relationship, not classes or teaching, but through vulnerable individuals willing to humbly love one another.
Daniel is going to participate in a tournament. Miyagi gives him a uniform. Daniel is going on a date with a . Miyagi gives him a car. Miyagi not only endows Daniel with wisdom but real resources to have the balance the master is speaking of.
Spiritual legacies are passed down, giving resources to be the men and women of God he desires us to be. This is the goal of discipleship. This is it. Everything after and leading up to this has been secondary. Through discipleship we are given the wisdom and the resources to be mature. Next will come the test to see if we will use them properly.
Before Daniel goes on his date, he tells Miyagi, sitting in the car just given to him, “You’re the best friend I ever had.”
Miyagi hesitates and says, “You’re pretty okay too.”
You don’t get that in a class.
Peace.