Pope Francis said, “The shepherd should smell like the sheep.” This is a brilliant and godly admonition for any leader in any endeavor. Be among the people. Get on their level. Let their smell rub off on you. If you can understand them and relate to them, they will follow you.
What do sheep smell like? I know what pigs smell like because I worked for a pig farmer as a teenager. I couldn’t get that smell off of me. I found out no girl would date a guy with his pig boots on. Similarly, I know what cows and chickens smell like. Stinky too, but distinct from each other. I have no idea what sheep smell like, but I’m sure every good shepherd knows the smell of sheep.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He “became human and lived among us” (John 1:14 GW). We follow the Lamb of God because we have complete confidence that he understands us at ground level and wants what is best for us. He made himself approachable through his humility, compassion, and empathy. He calls to us: “Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 GW). He took the heavy load of human sinfulness on himself. He showed us that people will flock to a Shepherd who has no ulterior motives or hidden agendas but who will sacrifice himself for the sheep.
