“Chutzpah” – pronounced “HUTZ (like clearing your throat) -pah”—a Yiddish word meaning “guts, nerve, courage, moxy” on steroids. Word we Jews would explain to our non-Jewish friends like this: “Nerve is stealing a man’s wallet from his back pocket. Chutzpah is tapping him on the shoulder afterwards, pointing to the wallet, and saying, ‘What? Only 5 dollars?!”
Except that not all chutzpah is bad. It can be, if you’re using it to do or say something obnoxious, rude, or unkind. But sometimes it takes chutzpah to do or say what really needs to be done or said.
Effective leaders know this. Demonstrating it wisely, at the right time, in the right way, in the right place, chutzpah can become a powerful tool for positive change.
Sometimes, that person may not have a position of authority or even be considered “leadership material”. But when they model chutzpah appropriately, they also model one characteristic of true leadership.
Take the blind man, for instance, told about in the Gospel of Mark. In Mark 10:46-52 we read:
“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’
So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.’ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’
‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”
We can learn a lot from this guy, who persisted in getting the help he desperately needed from Jesus.
First, Mark especially honors him by giving us his name “Bartimaeus”, meaning “Son of Timaeus”. Naming him shows that, although he was a blind beggar, one of the lowest of the low in society, he was worthy of identity and being known as a person, not just as a status or a problem. It also shows he belonged to a family, not just a lone “accident” of nature.
Second, it took a lot of courage to call out for help. That would be risky enough for anyone to disturb the peace and do anything socially inappropriate in a communal society. But for a beggar to do that? A blind beggar?
In Jewish culture, anyone that poor, let alone afflicted with infirmity, was automatically considered under double punishment by the Lord for sin. It didn’t matter if his parents sinned or he did, he was paying the price. That’s why, on a different occasion, when Jesus and his disciples passed a blind man, they asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2).
Bartimaeus, then, knew he was “way out of line” and would likely suffer the consequences of daring to ask for help from anyone. Worse yet, Jesus wasn’t just anyone—He was a highly respected teacher, which meant everyone knew they needed to be on their best behavior for Him. Any of us who’ve ever been told as children, “Watch what you do and say when the pastor comes!” can identify with this.
Third, it took overcoming the fear of man to keep calling out after the crowds rebuked him and tried to hush him up. Courage to call out the first time is one thing. Standing up against public opinion takes… chutzpah—he’s already in trouble and keeps getting them even more annoyed with him!
Fourth, it took unwavering faith in Jesus to have the courage, even chutzpah, to take that risk. Blind beggars don’t yell in public, or, even worse, demand help from respected teachers unless they’re sure that person is both willing and able to really help! Otherwise, they could be cast out of society and any means of support for nothing.
Fifth, it took intentionality to get what he needed. He had to position himself in the right place at the right time, which meant finding that out first. Then he had to tune in to Jesus’ voice and listen carefully for it, so his chance for help wouldn’t literally pass him by.
Sixth, his chutzpah worked—it got Jesus’ attention, Who then told the crowd to call him to come. Now this lowly blind beggar had everyone, including the respected teacher, on his side!
Seventh, he had to know and declare what he really needed and wanted— ability to see! Why settle for anything less than the ongoing best when asking Jesus for help? That took all of the above, wrapped in chutzpah!
The result—He got what he really needed—his sight. And he wisely “…followed Jesus along the road.” Mk. 10:52. Or, as we used to say in college, he “stayed close to the spout where the glory comes out.”
In terms of positive leadership qualities displayed, any one of us can follow Bartimaeus’ example:
- Assurance of our identity and worth, regardless of our status
- Courage to call out when needed
- Not letting public opinion get in the way of doing what’s right
- Faith in something/someone higher than ourselves—preferably in the Lord, since He’s the only One with perfect power, wisdom, and love
- Intentionality—Planning and effort to be and do what it takes to get the desired outcome
- Going for the highest goal— Declaring it boldly and not settling for anything less.
A blind beggar did all this. The lowest of the low in a society where status mattered showed us all the right way to lead with chutzpah.
How about us? If he could do it, why can’t we? Where do we need to start leading with chutzpah to get the job done? It takes perspective and posture, not position, to pull it off!
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