Gandalf: Hidden Power of he Wise

One of the more colorful, interesting and strange characters in The Lord of the Rings is Gandalf, the friendly wizard, who acts as protector and guide for the Fellowship. For the longest time, I had trouble with the term "wizard" being applied to a work that is essentially Christian in nature. Then I read "The Magical Worlds of The Lord of the Rings," by David Colbert. In this book, he quotes Tolkien as specifically using the term "wizard" to differentiate it from "magician" or "sorcerer". When I read that things clicked into place. A wizard isn't someone who has magical powers, but who is very good at what they do. Pinball wizard comes to mind.

If Gandalf was not really magical, if he wasn't a sorcerer, but simply very good at what he does, the obvious question then is, what is he very good at doing? We find that Gandalf spent most of his time, as it is recorded, in the study of hobbits. Until the adventures with Bilbo, hobbits were practically unknown to the world outside the Shire. Yet Gandalf spent his life, or a goodly portion of it, studying these simple creatures, only to find out that there was a strength in them that lay beneath the surface, unseen. He knew, once the Ring was found, that if anyone could possibly achieve the task of taking the Ring to Mordor to have it unmade, it would be these simple people. The mighty would fall prey to the temptations of the Ring. Even the Maiar, of which belonged, dared not possess the Ring. So he offered counsel and protection as best he could. In this he was more than exceptional.

Gandalf was not without his faults. He was naive in believing Saruman would help him. Too late did he realize that the power of the Ring had already infected Saruman's mind. Yet, he did not give up. He alone, stood against the Balrog in the Mines of Moria. There he fell and was presumed dead. Under the reluctant leadership of Aragorn, the Fellowship continued on, broken in spirit. Yet, later we see Gandalf returned to the Fellowship as one greater than before. More wise, more powerful, he came.

When Jesus came to us 2000 years ago, he did so as a human child. He suffered our human weaknesses, trials, temptations and pains, yet without sin. Like Gandalf, Jesus was on a mission. The mission was hid to all except a select few, and even they did not understand until He rose from the dead, greater, than before. One day Jesus will return, but not as a "lamb", but as a "lion". He came as a human child that we might understand God. He returns as King of kings and Lord of lords. His Fellowship shall never be broken.