Leading with the Aroma of Christ: Reflections on the Leadership of Those Who are Still Becoming Like Jesus

Generally, I like to see myself as a leader. I tend to take great ownership and responsibility in what I do, and I enjoy being in charge of something. I think it is safe to say that you are a leader, too, whether you feel like it or not. While I don’t imagine either of us have been asked to rebuild Jerusalem or lead the Israelites out of Egypt, we all most likely have experienced invitations from the Spirit to lead in acts of love, redemption and restoration for ourselves, our neighbors and our communities, and that requires leadership.

John Mark Comer in his book Practicing the Way (Waterbrook, 2024) says not to ask what Jesus would do, but rather, what would Jesus do if He were me? I like this reframing because it helps us honor the creative reality that we are creatures all uniquely created by God. God is not asking us to be Jesus, but He is asking that we would share in his aroma. We are not Jesus, but we can surely imitate Him by the power of the Spirit in sanctification. In leadership, I’ve been asking myself, when Courtney is most surrendered to Jesus, what does she say? What does that Courtney do? In the same way, I’ve been studying how our ancestors before us led while under the influence of God’s leadership and Spirit. What does Ezra, when most obedient to God, say? What does Nehemiah, when most aligned with Holy Spirit, do? Not only this, but what do Courtney, Ezra and Nehemiah do when they are not sharing in the aroma of Christ? In what ways do they only look like Courtney, Ezra or Nehemiah? 

Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg in their book Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus helped inspire me in leadership by understanding the significance of Jesus leading not only as Rabbi, but as King. Not only would the disciples of Jesus abide so closely as to get covered by the dust of His feet, they would have been close enough to smell His aroma. This idea centers around the implications of Mary anointing Jesus with her treasured perfume. Only the kings were anointed with special, fragrant perfume. The distinct scent of this precious oil was a sign to all around that this was the scent of a king, a Messiah, one who belongs to God. Since we share in this inheritance as His royal priesthood, the aroma of Christ, it only makes sense to wonder whether, to those who follow us, our leadership smells like one who belongs to God. 

While I encourage you to read through the entirety of Ezra and Nehemiah, I want to prime your curiosity and critical thinking by highlighting a few decisions of their leadership that help us think more deeply about the aroma. Is this the decision of a king? Is this the smell of one belonging to God? 

I believe that every action we take reflects the kind of trust and relationship we have with God. What we do says a lot about what we believe, especially as spiritual leaders. My aim is not to tell you what to interpret from these examples of leadership, but I do ask that you think critically about what kind of aroma is given off from these decisions and how that affects the people in their care and community. Meanwhile, I encourage you to think about the ways you’ve responded in leadership and be open to the ways God wants to lead you in His anointing. 

Examples of Spiritual/Pastoral Leadership

• Ezra built trust as a teacher of the Word. It is said that Ezra “set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules” (Ezra 7:10, ESV). 

• Ezra led his community in prayer and fasting to submit their trust and will to God. Nehemiah often interceded on behalf of his community. They both shared in episodes of great grief and prayer for their people and experiences. (See Ezra 8:21-23 and Nehemiah 1:4-11.)

• Ezra and Nehemiah led their community in an attempt of spiritual renewal. They relied on their community to help each other understand the meaning of God’s word. They led their community through grief and repentance into hope and joy (Nehemiah 8:9-12).

• Ezra knows God’s story and ensures that the people hear and understand God’s story. He recounts their history, God’s faithfulness and makes public intercession in hope for repentance and revival (Nehemiah 9:6-38). 

Examples of Collaborative and Empowering Leadership

• Ezra was mindful of his community, and knew its gaps. He noticed the lack of Levites and was willing to pray and trust God to bring him the spiritual leaders he needed (Ezra 8).

• Nehemiah takes action to hear the cry of the people and correct injustice (Nehemiah 5:1-13).

• Nehemiah delegates his plan for rebuilding to a variety of people and teams (Nehemiah 3). 

Examples of Conflict and Disillusionment in Leadership

• Ezra learns that many of the exiles have taken wives who are not exiles. He responds by tearing his garments and pulling out his hair. He prays for repentance and enacts a decree that these marriages should be annulled. This decree brings conflict and wrestling with the law (Ezra 9 and 10).

• Nehemiah instructs the rebuilding of the city wall which brings conflict and wrestling with Zechariah’s vision of the new Jerusalem (Nehemiah 4 and 6).

• Nehemiah learns that the people have not been fulfilling their covenant vows after the community covenant renewal. Ezra’s attempts to inspire the people to adhere to the Torah fails as people work on the Sabbath and the temple is not cared for as envisioned by Zerubabbel. Nehemiah responds with authoritative action using threats or mild aggression (Nehemiah 13). 

Ezra and Nehemiah walked confidently in their anointing under God as leaders who were uniquely created and still human. The way that we allow the Spirit to creatively form us is essential to the health and growth that our communities of faith experience under our care. God has called you, and you specifically, for such a time as this. Sometimes, we must let God cleanse us of an aroma that is different from the one of our king, and in humility we submit to prayer and confession like Ezra and Nehemiah so that we may be restored in hope and likeness of our God who has led the way. I pray that you press into His Spirit to allow His aroma to rub off on you so that it would be evident to all that you belong to and follow Jesus, and that your service to God helps others know that they belong to Him too.