How long has it been since you’ve been shocked by who God is? 

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In our life as leaders, it can be easy to become familiar with the audacious grace of God. With the very fact that our lives are held in complete care by the creator of the universe. There was a moment for each of us when everything changed. When God became real. When the weight of the world was lifted. When what was once a foreign concept became a tangible reality. 

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Now, we get to lead others on the journey. Stewarding the flocks that God has entrusted us with as they begin their relationship with Jesus. As we do so, let us make every aim to live our lives in light of this audacious grace. Our awe and reverence will draw more people to Jesus than our carefully crafted sermons or expertly planned service flows ever could.

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In 2023, it is more tempting than ever to blend and trend. Blend in with the world and trend with the next “it” moment. We’ve been called to walk a different road. To pave a path of purpose for those we lead. To live a countercultural calling. One that doesn’t shift or morph to the world around us, but invites the light of Jesus into every area of our lives. A scandalous, sold-out, mission for him.

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The dictionary defines scandalous as causing general public outrage by a perceived offense against morality or law.

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By this definition, Jesus was scandalous through and through. His very time on Earth caused outrage among those frustrated with his disinterest in upholding old religious rules. Many misunderstood him. The Pharisees often demeaned his ways. Throughout the many who ridiculed him, he never wavered, never shifted course, and never stopped to pause his mission. His purpose was clear — love people.

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The same could be said for us. 

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How scandalous do people around you who don't know Jesus view your relationship with the creator of the universe? 

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Many of us know Jesus as our savior but not our liberator. We’ve swallowed the lie that we were supposed to be like everyone around us. We may find ourselves so risk-averse that we avoid the very situations Jesus has called us to shepherd. Our response to this scandalous grace we’ve been given is to show the same in return to those placed on our path. The way we love should be audacious.

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How countercultural are you? 

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In the gospel of Luke, the only of the four gospels written by a non-Jewish author, we read the story of Jesus and the “sinful woman.” (Luke 7:36-58)

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36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

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What a perfect picture of this scandalous grace. We see Jesus acknowledging this woman, and giving her the gift of forgiveness, while those around him scoff and mock his decision to do so. 

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Verse 44 is a picture of Jesus’ love for us and a reminder as leaders of how to love others. ‍

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44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? 

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Some Greek Translations have the original words “turned toward” as “gazed.” Jesus looked intently at this woman. Scholars would tell us it is likely this woman was outside the home, listening in on this dinner from the courtyard. We’re not sure how she got here, but we do know she was counter-cultural. She gave everything of value, her precious oil, to honor Jesus. She recognized the miracle Messiah, and in turn, he saw this woman for who she truly was, not her sin and her shame. 

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Do you see people? Not for their wrongdoing but for who they are free in Christ? Let us be leaders who see people, who offer forgiveness, and who point people to a God who sees them.