Sam
Each time I read Lord of the Rings, I am touched by Sam. He is one of my favourite characters in the whole trilogy. You can't help but love his humility, 'simplicity', and faithfulness.
But although Sam may seem like a relativly unimportant character, he is another major peice in the picture of Jesus. His humility and loyalty are just astounding.
In his humility, he is marked by self-forgetfulness. He doesn't think about himself, his role, or his contribution: he simply fulfills the task which he has set himself / been given and doggedly carries on. In his admiration for others and gratitude to others he nevers seems to think that others have equal reason to admire or are grateful to him.
He sticks with Frodo even when it could cost him his life. He helps Frodo through thick and thin, even when Frodo is increasingly ungrateful. I don't think it's until after the Ring has been dropped into the Lake of Fire, and Frodo and Sam are waiting for the eagle to come before Frodo realises how much Sam has done for him.
Quite simply, Frodo wouldn't have succeeded in the Quest if it hadn't been for Sam.
Sam was just one little Hobbit who no one thought very much of until the end. Jesus was 'just' one man who no one thought very much of until the End.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Frodo as Jesus
Frodo
Frodo is in many ways the main character of the Lord of the Rings. He's the Ring-Bearer. He has the biggest Quest. But in other ways he's just another one more character who's qualities make up a picture of Jesus.
Frodo Baggins is a rather unusual Hobbit. He is the strange nephew of the Strange Bilbo Baggins, who has never wholly been liked. He is also friend to Gandalf the Grey (later Gandalf the White) who is known in the Shire as a 'Disturber of the Peace'! Like Jesus, Frodo is an 'outsider who in some ways doesn't fit.
Frodo's inheritance of the Ring puts him and the Shire in terrible danger. So he sets out to save the Shire from the Black Shadow. When in Rivendell, Frodo offers to take the Ring to Mordor, even though his heart pull him back from the prospect.
On the Quest, Frodo's humility, bravery, and diligence are all like those of Jesus. Jesus showed his humility be going on His Quest - to the Cross. He showed his bravery by going on His Quest - to the Cross. Annd he showed his diligence by going on His Quest - to the Cross. Frodo, like Jesus had a horrific journey to face, and, though himself righteous and innocent, he carried the burden produced by the evil of others.
Frodo is in many ways the main character of the Lord of the Rings. He's the Ring-Bearer. He has the biggest Quest. But in other ways he's just another one more character who's qualities make up a picture of Jesus.
Frodo Baggins is a rather unusual Hobbit. He is the strange nephew of the Strange Bilbo Baggins, who has never wholly been liked. He is also friend to Gandalf the Grey (later Gandalf the White) who is known in the Shire as a 'Disturber of the Peace'! Like Jesus, Frodo is an 'outsider who in some ways doesn't fit.
Frodo's inheritance of the Ring puts him and the Shire in terrible danger. So he sets out to save the Shire from the Black Shadow. When in Rivendell, Frodo offers to take the Ring to Mordor, even though his heart pull him back from the prospect.
On the Quest, Frodo's humility, bravery, and diligence are all like those of Jesus. Jesus showed his humility be going on His Quest - to the Cross. He showed his bravery by going on His Quest - to the Cross. Annd he showed his diligence by going on His Quest - to the Cross. Frodo, like Jesus had a horrific journey to face, and, though himself righteous and innocent, he carried the burden produced by the evil of others.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Gandalf as Jesus
Gandalf
Gandalf is another 'Jesus' figure in Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. His wisdom, authority, power, leadership, and humility are all assets which make Jesus the perfect Servant King. Gandalf leads the Company until Moria, where he sacrifices himself so that the rest of the Company can go on. Gandalf is the leader of the Fellowship of the Ring and, in some ways, binds the other members together. Though he is the wisest member of the Company he gives time to others and, as Aragorn grows up into being king, Gandalf treats him as a friend and almost an equal. For the sake of the Company he gives himself to death in the battle with the monstrous Balrog in the end he comes back (rises!), even greater and more powerful than before!
Gandalf is another 'Jesus' figure in Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. His wisdom, authority, power, leadership, and humility are all assets which make Jesus the perfect Servant King. Gandalf leads the Company until Moria, where he sacrifices himself so that the rest of the Company can go on. Gandalf is the leader of the Fellowship of the Ring and, in some ways, binds the other members together. Though he is the wisest member of the Company he gives time to others and, as Aragorn grows up into being king, Gandalf treats him as a friend and almost an equal. For the sake of the Company he gives himself to death in the battle with the monstrous Balrog in the end he comes back (rises!), even greater and more powerful than before!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Aragorn as Jesus
There are many different 'Jesus' figures in The Lord of the Rings. In a way, each member of the Fellowship is a different representative of Him.
Aragorn
Aragorn is a lonely Ranger under the disguise of Strider, so he doesn't look too pretty. But 'All that is gold does not glitter'. He is heir to the throne of Gondor, but doesn't want to take up his place as king until the end. He is misunderstood, and taken as a dangerous man by many who meet him. He heals Faramir, Eowyn, and Merry in The Return Of The King.
'The hands of a King are the hands of a Healer'.
Jesus
Jesus is the King of our World. He takes his place on the Throne to rule and judge us justly. While living on this earth, Jesus was ignored, dispised, misunderstood, and even killed by those around him. To be honest, being a carpenter's son, he wouldn't have looked too glamorous, but 'All that is gold does not glitter'.
Jesus' hands are the hands of a King. The King. They are also hands that heal. He heals many, and the people bring sick to him for healing.
'The hands of a King are the hands of a Healer'.
Aragorn
Aragorn is a lonely Ranger under the disguise of Strider, so he doesn't look too pretty. But 'All that is gold does not glitter'. He is heir to the throne of Gondor, but doesn't want to take up his place as king until the end. He is misunderstood, and taken as a dangerous man by many who meet him. He heals Faramir, Eowyn, and Merry in The Return Of The King.
'The hands of a King are the hands of a Healer'.
Jesus
Jesus is the King of our World. He takes his place on the Throne to rule and judge us justly. While living on this earth, Jesus was ignored, dispised, misunderstood, and even killed by those around him. To be honest, being a carpenter's son, he wouldn't have looked too glamorous, but 'All that is gold does not glitter'.
Jesus' hands are the hands of a King. The King. They are also hands that heal. He heals many, and the people bring sick to him for healing.
'The hands of a King are the hands of a Healer'.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Gollum's Death
I have two thoughts on Gollum's death for now;
1. While Gollum, Frodo, and Sam are struggling together on the slopes of Mount Doom, Frodo says to Gollum, 'Begone and trouble me no more! If you touch me ever again, you shall be cast yourself into the Fire of Doom.'
The next time we meet Gollum, he touches Frodo and flings himself into the Fire of Doom.
2. 'The Lake of Fire is the second death.' Rev 20:14b NIV
In a way, Gollum has two deaths. He first 'dies' to the Ring, by falling completly under it's power, and being controlled by it. His second death is by being thrown into the Lake of Fire...
1. While Gollum, Frodo, and Sam are struggling together on the slopes of Mount Doom, Frodo says to Gollum, 'Begone and trouble me no more! If you touch me ever again, you shall be cast yourself into the Fire of Doom.'
The next time we meet Gollum, he touches Frodo and flings himself into the Fire of Doom.
2. 'The Lake of Fire is the second death.' Rev 20:14b NIV
In a way, Gollum has two deaths. He first 'dies' to the Ring, by falling completly under it's power, and being controlled by it. His second death is by being thrown into the Lake of Fire...
The Love of the Rings
As I start reading The Lord of the Rings for the ninth time, I realise my love for the works of Tolkien grows every time I read it. I can hardly wait to get back into Middle-Earth, where I can be with all my favourite characters again. Every time I read it, I wonder if somehow the ending will change, and if Gollum will kill Frodo and keep the Ring, and become the Master like he dreams of. But no. Each time it stays the same, and the Ring gets destroyed.
Because I love this series so much, I have decided to share some of my delight with the few Tolkien fans who might read my blog, and to change it into an I-love-Lord-of-the-Rings-and-Tolkien blog.
I will be posting some thoughts (not very profound ones), and comments on Lord of the Rings.
So welcome to Middle-Earth...
Because I love this series so much, I have decided to share some of my delight with the few Tolkien fans who might read my blog, and to change it into an I-love-Lord-of-the-Rings-and-Tolkien blog.
I will be posting some thoughts (not very profound ones), and comments on Lord of the Rings.
So welcome to Middle-Earth...
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Meese or Moose?
Collins Dictionary entry of MOOSE:
Moose - (mu:s) n, pl, meese.
A large North American deer having large flattened palmate antlers: also occurs in Europe and Asia where it is called an elk. (C17: of Amerind origin)
Moose - (mu:s) n, pl, meese.
A large North American deer having large flattened palmate antlers: also occurs in Europe and Asia where it is called an elk. (C17: of Amerind origin)
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Joni
I just finished a book called Joni. I was given this book from my good friend, Kate, when I was baptized. Thanks Kate! It is a very good book, that I strongly recommend.
It is an autobiography of Joni Eareckson Tada, who became paralyzed from the neck down when she was only 17. It is the story of an amazing woman who went through so much. It is a very encouraging and humbling story of someone who trusted the Lord and was able to cope with not being able to do almost anything because the Lord helped her.
I highly recommend it!
It is an autobiography of Joni Eareckson Tada, who became paralyzed from the neck down when she was only 17. It is the story of an amazing woman who went through so much. It is a very encouraging and humbling story of someone who trusted the Lord and was able to cope with not being able to do almost anything because the Lord helped her.
I highly recommend it!
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