Who is the greatest leader in history? What did they accomplish? Did they conquer great nations, sail the seven seas, explore new frontier, make breakthroughs in their field, bring glory to their family, found empires, decide the fate of lesser men? Did they heal the sick, give to the needy, empower the oppressed, bring respite to the suffering, love their fellow man? Did they restore old knowledge, discover things hidden, unlock new heights of potential, drink deep of the fountain of wisdom? Did they bring justice and order? Did they give grace and mercy? Did they bring light into the darkness? How did they write their name in the stones of history?
In our culture, Greatness is often associated with power. We look to those with the most knowledge, the most skill, the most talent, the most strength. We believe that great leaders are the strongest, the smartest, the biggest and the best. We associate greatness with achievement.
In Tolkein's works, we see something completely contrary to the mindset of our culture. The One person upon whom the fate of the world depends is not a warrior, not a scholar, nor someone with any special gift or ability to help save the world. The entire future of his world is placed in the hands of a hobbit. Frodo Baggins of the Shire.
He has nothing special about him at all. It's not that he hasn't yet learned something about himself, not that he hasn't unlocked some hidden potential, not that he isn't given some special power to help others. He's just not capable. He's from the smallest of the small, the weakest of the weak, the most pathetic of the least of these. He can't possibly lead armies or conquer anyone or anything. He can't swing a long sword. He can't even find his way to where he is going.
Tolkein chooses to place the least powerful person in his story in the place of most honor. Why would he do this? Why not have a war story like everyone else? Why not have a story like Star Wars, where the heroes are all jedi with super-powers and big laser swords? Why not have a super-hero movie where the Dark Knight or Superman fly in, beat up the bad guy, and save the day? Where's the sense in having a movie with all this action, and your main character does nothing but run, hide, escape, and, on occasion, when trouble shows up, get saved by one of his friends who, with incredible skill, shoots down the troll with two arrows, takes down five guys alone, uses some incredible magic to kill an evil demon. Why aren't any of these other guys the main character?
Because the truth of the matter is, great leaders aren't those who are the most accomplished, or even the most capable. Heroes are those that sacrifice the most for others. They're the servants.
In Philippians 2, we see what God's take on heroism.
"Your attitude should be like that of Christ Jesus, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a Servant by being made in human likeness. And being found in human likeness He humbled Himself to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God gave Him the name that is above every name: that at the name a Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2: 5-11
Here we have the God of the Universe, the Greatest being in existence, the essence of Power, Kingliness, Greatness and Splendor, arriving on earth not as a king or a noble or even a great leader of men. He came down as a poor carpenter, born to two peasants, lived an ordinary life, never left his home country, never sailed the seas, never received a good education, never lead men into battle, never wrote a treaty, never wrote any works at all. He is most noted for being born in a dung heap and being slaughtered on a Roman torture device. His followers were rejects who betrayed Him the minute the public turned against Him. His family thought He was crazy. Yet, He is noted over and over again as the most eminent figure in human history. More songs have been sung about Him, more books written of His Greatness, more people claim Him as their God, and more people have given their lives for His Name than any other man who has ever walked the earth or ever will. We split time on His existence. He is the single most important being to ever walk the face of the earth. And in His time on earth all He ever did was out of love for others. All He ever did was serve and humble Himself.
This is the echo of truth we find in Tolkein's works. Tolkein chooses his hero for his selflessness, love, humility, and sacrificial nature. These are the traits, Tolkein claims, have more power than any sword or any spell. And He seems to on to something.
When asked how to achieve greatness, Jesus replied: become the least. disadvantage yourself the most. give all you have to others. embody humility. the last will be first, the first will be last.
Praying that we humble ourselves like hobbits and touch true greatness beyond our wildest dreams. Not through achievement or accomplishment, but through sacrificial servitude!
"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." - Matthew 25:40
"whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Matthew 20: 26-28
God bless!
