Community provides the proper context for the proclamation of truth. Notice what our author says, “Let us hold fast the confession” (v.23). This is a reference to the content of what we believe.  If we are going to endure the trials and tribulations of this world, we have to be certain that what we believe—about God, about Jesus, about his Word—is absolutely true.

When it comes to J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel, Lord of the Rings, there are plenty of heroes to be found. We love Gandalf for his wise and steady leadership, we cheer for Aragorn as he battles the enemy with the sword, and, of course, we marvel at Frodo’s perseverance and sacrifice as he takes the ring on the long and grueling journey to Mordor.

But, as amazing as these heroes are, Tolkien himself was convinced that the real hero was someone far more ordinary. In one of his later letters, Tolkien refers to Sam Gamgee as the “chief hero” of the whole book.[1]  

Yep, that’s right. In a sense, the greatest hero was Samwise the gardener from the Shire. Why? Because without Sam, Frodo would have never made it to Mordor to destroy the ring. Throughout their treacherous journey, Sam was the ever-present friend providing encouragement, strength, and hope.

In many ways, the relationship between Frodo and Sam is a vision of the Christian life. We are all on a long and dangerous journey. So dangerous, in fact, that it is not the kind of journey anyone can take alone. It requires help. Companionship. To make it to the end, we all need a friend like Samwise Gamgee to lift us up, and sometimes even carry us.

In the book of Hebrews, the author is very aware of this Christian journey we are all part of. He indicates in chapters 3 and 4 that we are on a journey to the promised land. But this promised land is not a physical country, but heaven itself. And he knows that before we get there, we will need to journey through a “wilderness” filled with trials and tribulations.  

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