Eomer: The Treacherous Loyalty

When I think of Eomer, I am reminded of the legends of the knights in many books, of Lancelot, Gawain and King Arthur. The statement above shows part of who he is, another he keeps secret. While bravely disobeying King Theoden's edict about patrolling the lands for Orcs, he says his only desire is to be free, not choosing any "foreign lord, good or evil". He is bound, however, by his own contempt and even loyalty, to an end that cannot see freedom. Yet secretly he desires to side with that which is good. If that were not the case he would not disobey his king in order to protect him and his people. His boasting coupled with belief in gossip, almost caused a fatal end for himself and Gimli, and probably others. Legalos was ready to strike the first blow against any who harmed Gimli.

What we see here is someone trying to balance upon a fence, yet at the same time trying to be loyal to one side. You simply cannot do both. You must choose, one side or the other, good or evil. You cannot stand by and be neutral. Eomer knew this, and for that reason he took the Riders of the Third Riddermark out on patrol of the lands of Rohan. He made a conscious decision to side with good, wherever that may be found; and to oppose evil wherever that may be found.

There was a man like that who came to speak with Jesus by night. His name was Nicodemus, a ruler of the Pharisees. He came by night because he didn't want the other Pharisees to know what he was doing. He was trying to be impartial, not to take sides, but in his heart he had already sided with his Messiah. In John chapter three we have an account of that marvelous encounter. Jesus did not ridicule him, or get angry with him, as He had with other Pharisees. The reason is simple. Jesus saw the heart of Nicodemus, and it was bent towards God. So Jesus teaches him. He takes time out to instruct this teacher of the Law about the Law he teaches. It is the only recorded time that Jesus does so.

Nicodemus, like Eomer, were brash and proud, but their loyalty brought them into conflict with themselves, and eventually others. For a time Eomer was disfavored by Theoden King, and for a time Nicodemus was disfavored by the other Pharisees. Yet Eomer is listed as one of the valiant who fought on the Pelennor Fields. So also is Nicodemus mentioned with reverence as one of the two men who retrieved our Lord's body from the cross. (The other being Joseph of Arimathea).

What we can learn from Eomer is that it is dangerous to try to sit on the fence. Sooner or later we must choose a side. May we strive to keep our hearts soft before God that our choice will always be for Him. For you see, it isn't just a one time thing. Salvation is, but working out that salvation is a moment by moment affair. We can easily be swayed to compromise our belief and even our love for Jesus if we do not constantly keep choosing for Him, as did Nicodemus, as did Eomer, as did Mary of Magdalene, as did Arwen.