VIII) BOLDNESS IN THE FACE OF CRITICISM

Luke 5:17-26
A great leader must be humble, even gentle and perhaps even self-effacing on occasion. However, a great leader must also be bold. At times this appears to be a paradox as we endeavor to be a servant and yet also to stand as a teacher, a shepherd, and an authority figure. Leaders must be willing to accept the authority that they have been given and use that authority to advance the mission of the organization.

Some leaders fail precisely because they do not have the emotional or spiritual maturity to handle authority. Some use their authority for selfish reasons. Some are too timid to exercise their authority. And others simply surrender their authority to others and thereby surrender their ability to lead.

Jesus was tender, meek and mild, but Jesus was no pushover. When a man was brought to Him who needed both forgiveness of sin and healing, Jesus knew that there were those in the crowd who would criticize Him if He forgave this man of his sins. It was understood that only God had the authority to forgive sins, so for Jesus to tell the man his sins were forgiven was for Jesus to claim Divinity. He knew that there were those who would not accept that. There were those who would use this event to garner support for themselves against Jesus. But Jesus knew His mission and He was bold in His willingness to embrace this mission even in the face of criticism.

Jesus looked at the man and said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Those five words were powerful. They were a bold affirmation of His call and His claim to fill the Messianic role. Great leaders do not shrink in the face of criticism. When the cause is right, when the need is great, when the opportunity is before us we must be bold even if it will open us up to criticism. The greater good was that while there would be those who became more resolute in their resistance to Christ, many more saw, heard and believed in Him.

Jesus knew their thoughts. He knew that criticism would come, but He made the decision anyhow. Great leaders are not naïve. They do not stick their head in the sand and think that everyone is always going to agree with every decision. But great leaders are not motivated by what is popular. Great leaders move by what is right, what is for the benefit of the organization and by the greater good. Great leaders are willing to put their own interests on the line for the benefit of the organization.

Then, to put an exclamation point on the moment, Jesus looked at His critics and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sin . . .” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” And immediately the man stood up in front of everyone, picked up his mat and went home praising God.

When we do what is right, and we continue to do what is right regardless of the critics or the armchair quarterbacks who second guess every decision we make, then truth will out and we will be vindicated in time. The success of the organization, the changes in people’s lives, the growth of the company, whatever it may be, there will be vindication if we have boldly made the right decision.

No one will ever be a great leader by trying to please everyone all the time. The question we must ask is, "Is this the right decision for this time and this organization?" If it is, then make the decision and trust God with the results.