January 13 | Jesus is My Sensei

Series | The God Kind of Life

Scripture | Luke 6:46, " Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?"

Lesson 13 | Jesus is My Sensei   

“Wax on, wax off!”  Do you remember Mr. Miyagi from the movie Karate Kid?  Mr. Miyagi was the sensei (karate expert) to young Daniel LaRusso in the movie.  Daniel Son, as Mr. Miyagi liked to call him, came to him to learn karate so he could defend himself from the bullies at school.  The bullies’ sensei was John Kreese and they belonged to the karate gang Cobra Kai. 

In the movie, Mr. Miyagi wanted to first teach Daniel Son discipline and technique, but all he wanted to do was learn “power moves.”  As a result, Daniel got frustrated and wanted to quit, but Mr. Miyagi wouldn’t change his ways.  Eventually, the karate kid humbled himself and willingly received Mr. Miyagi’s instructions.  In the end, even such seemingly minor tasks like waxing cars became the foundation for the moves that made Daniel a karate champion.

The same is true with Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  The Greek word for Lord, “kurios,” means, “master, boss, or owner.”  In the above passage Jesus is rebuking people on judgment day because they called Him “Lord,” but they didn’t do what He said.  We as Christians are to look to Jesus as our Sensei, our master and expert in life, and obey all He commands.

When Jesus commands us not to look upon others lustfully, we are to say, “Yes Lord, I will obey.”  If Jesus teaches us how to pray and commands us to do it, we are to say, “Yes sir, I will pray like how you have taught me.”  Even if Jesus teaches us to give away all of our possessions, we are to humbly say, “Yes Lord, I’ll do whatever you say.” 

For if was as disciples “say” we follow Jesus as our Lord and don’t do what He “says,” we are hypocrites.  Therefore, we need to follow Jesus and obey what He teaches.   Someone might then ask, “What if I sin and don’t always obey?”  Then, repent, turn around, and start obeying!  Jesus even gave us a command to follow when we break His commands- repentance.  Therefore, choose today to do what Sensei Jesus tells you to do!     

Reflection | Are there any areas in your life that aren’t under the Lordship of Jesus?

Action | (1) Search your heart to see if there are any areas in your life you need to change. (2) If there are, repent and start following all Jesus’ commands. (3) Keep following Jesus’ commands everyday and if you sin, repent and ask God to change your heart.   

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Genesis 28:1-29:35, Matthew 9:18-38, Psalm 11:1-7, &Proverbs 3:11-12. Click here to read online.