While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people. His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him.” Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and he kissed him. Jesus answered him, “Friend, do what you have come for.”

One of the difficult things in life for any age is adjusting to a new lifestyle, one that the person has never seen before. Sherry Parker and her twelve year old son Dre both had to make such adjustments in the movie “The Karate Kid.” When his mother was transferred to Beijing, China, Dre very dutifully went along. It was not an easy transition for either of them. The movie centers in on Dre in particular who meets friends, but also meets people who do not like him. Some of them turn into his tormentors, and Dre is physically beaten. Dre’s life becomes extremely painful as he tries to adjust to his situation, and it is only after a man by the name of Mr. Han takes him into his care that he begins to understand what he can do. Mr. Han himself has an adult understanding of such suffering because he had to adjust to some very painful circumstances in his life as well.

Immature people often do not act well in crises. Sometimes they panic, or they will make decisions that only make matters worse, or they behave in a selfish way that does not help others. Mature people will calmly accept the situation, study what can be done given the circumstances they are in, and adjust to a course of action that is best for all involved.

Jesus of Nazareth knew well the meaning of “adjusting,” especially as he approached the end of his life. He had spent time in prayer with his Father, addressing the problem of what he was about to encounter. Now it was time to calmly enter the central act of his life, namely the redemption of humankind. He had a very good idea about what was going to happen in this crisis situation in his life, and he bravely accepted it. In a composed way, he begins the most painful part of his life with the word, “friend.”

One of the signs of maturity is the ability to act well in crisis situations. Most people will not experience immense mental or physical pain during their early years, but they will be involved in painful situations that require actions reflecting maturity. It is difficult to adjust to those situations, but it can be done. Too often, young people find themselves arguing, criticizing and judging others, often blaming others for what has happened. Such immaturity usually causes added harm to an already harmful experience. Crises demand clear thinking, and clear thinking demands the mature ability to deal calmly with anything that happens.

Good and gracious God, your Son approached his death with serenity because he knew how to act with maturity. As we come upon some crisis in our lives, we ask for your grace to understand how to behave in a mature way. Be with us, we pray.

Adjusting to new circumstances, especially when there is pain involved, is very difficult, but it can be done.

1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. In the Gospel, Judas used the typical signs of how a disciple would greet his teacher to betray Jesus. It is the absolute highest of insults. What are the insults that are most difficult to accept?
3. Jesus bravely accepted what he knew would happen. Give your definition of courage.
4. Adjusting to a difficult situation is the theme of this session. What are the best ways to adjust to a difficult situation?
5. What are the situations that are most painful for a young person? For a person of middle age? For an older person?
6. What are some “crisis situations” that you have seen? How did the people involved act? How should they have acted?
7. It is always difficult to begin a situation that is new. If you were in Dre’s shoes, how would you go about adjusting to a new situation in a foreign country?
8. Scene analysis: the group of boys fight Dre and hurt him. Sometimes this type of physical abuse happens in junior high school on a regular basis. If you were Dre, what would you have done?
9. Analysis: Why did Dre not try to explain what happened to the appropriate authorities in the school?
10. Scene analysis: Mei Ying’s instructor is very demanding. In your opinion, what is the best way to teach a difficult subject? In particular, should a teacher be this demanding? Yes or no and why?
11. Scene analysis: Dre’s mother really wants to help him. In your opinion, why did he not tell his mother what was happening?
12. Scene analysis: Dre attacks the bullies. Why did he provoke the attack?