How Jesus is Our Sam

At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. – 2 Timothy 4:16-18

So this past month, we’ve been watching the “Lord of the Ring” movies as a family. They just never get old for us, even though we can quote them by now. Depending on what I’m going through at the time, God always pricks my heart with different parts or phrases or relationships from these stories.

This time, the message was from Sam. Don’t you just love Sam?

In the third movie, Sam tells Frodo that he might not be able to carry his burden, but he can carry him. And he does. It struck me so deeply at that moment.

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. – Luke 14:27

Jesus is our Sam. We may have to carry the physical burdens we are given in this world, but he never leaves our side, no matter the dangers, no matter how we doubt Him, even if we insist that He leave us. Even if we try to run away.

He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. – Isaiah 40:11

He cannot remove the burden from us, but He can carry us. And He does.

The next part that struck me from Sam was even nearer to the end. Poor Frodo was just devastated that he had been so weak when it really counted. He was literally hanging from a ledge, broken and bloody. Sam reached down to him. He could see in his eyes what Frodo was contemplating doing. It would be so easy to just let go.

“Don’t you do it. Don’t let go.”

Do you hear the voice of Jesus there? I do.

“Reach,” he said.

Reach.
Dear God Who Sustains, how can we possibly thank You for providing the perfect Friend and Companion? The perfect Hero. May we always listen. May we always hear. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…

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May God Bless You,

Shelly