Samwise the Brave: The Path of Loyalty

Samwise Gamgee, better known to us simply as Sam, is dubbed, somewhat jokingly by Frodo as "Samwise the Brave". Yet, he would have been nearer the mark had he called him, "Samwise the Loyal".

Hidden in Sam's story is that of a loyal servant, who becomes a steadfast friend. As Frodo's burden increased, Sam's strength of loyalty rose to meet the task. It's also good to remember that neither Frodo nor Sam asked to go on this quest. Gandalf the Gray, a friendly wizard in the story, advises Frodo to take the Ring to Rivendell. He then, after catching Sam eaves dropping, tells Sam that he has to go with his master.

Already there are a couple of parallels here with the Bible. You might say that where evil exists good rises up to meet it. That is basically the main point of The Lord of the Rings, but more importantly God's Word tells us that "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." (Romans 5:20) Just as Frodo's burden, the evil that bore down on him because he had to carry the Ring, increased, so also did the strength of his friend's loyalty. It was that loyalty that helped Frodo see him through. It was Sam's courage and loyalty that overcame the awesome "power" of the Ring. Secondly, just as the Twelve, the chosen disciples of Christ, were commissioned by our Lord to go out and continue His work, so also did Gandalf commission Frodo and Sam to a work that was beyond their comprehension, much less their abilities. For God doesn't call us to do what we are capable of doing, but what is impossible for us to do. It is in doing what is impossible for us to do that He is glorified and draws all mankind to Himself.

Frodo and Sam become part of a Fellowship, that begins in Rivendell, at the Council of Elrond. It is a fellowship of nine members; four are hobbits, two are men, one is a wizard, one a dwarf and one an elf. The nine walkers against the nine riders. Like the disciples, this fellowship develops from a group of people on a mission, to a group of people dearly devoted to one another, and to their cause. Frodo and Sam are so much like you and me, as well as the disciples. We were called out to follow Christ. We were joined to a fellowship of believers who we hadn't known, but in coming to know more about Jesus, we learned more about them and ourselves. A bond was made; loyalty to one another and to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We may not always understand the directions that each take within this fellowship, just as Aragorn and some of the others headed west, while Frodo and Sam headed east for Mordor. Yet, we can be sure, that if we are true to the words and commandments of our Lord, we will be true to those who love Him.