In the first book of the series we are introduced to most of the main characters that appear through out the series. We are introduced to Harry, his aunt, uncle and cousin, the Weasleys, Hermione, Nelvile and the teachers at Hogwarts.
The story begins with Harry being left on the doorstep of his aunt and uncle’s after his parents have been murdered. As he grows up his aunt and uncle try very hard to prevent him from living out the purpose for which he was created. This is the first hidden message from this book. God made each of us with a purpose and he knew us before we were born. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart”. (NIV)
Once they were no longer able to keep him from finding out his calling they tried to hide him in an attempt to keep God from finding him. You need look no further than the story of the prophet Jonah to know how this turns out. They are found and Harry is finally told of his purpose. This is the second hidden message. You cannot hide from God.
Harry is then taken by Haggard, who is half giant, to buy the supplies he needs for school. Haggard is an interesting character because almost everyone looks down on him because of his size and his rather scary appearance. However, he is really a gentle person who deeply cares for people. This leads us to the third hidden message: God does not look at a persons outward appearance, but at a person’s heart. In 1 Samuel 16 Samuel goes to the city of Bethlehem to anoint a replacement for King Saul from Jesse’s sons. However, God rejects all of Jesse’s sons expect for David because of what God saw in David’s heart. In the same way we should avoid making snap judgements about people before we actually know them.
Harry boards the train to Hogwarts and meets Ron and Hermione. However, he also meets another person who will play a critical role throughout the rest of the series: Draco Malfoy. Draco like his parents believes that only “pure blood wizards” should be allowed to go to Hogwarts. He even tells Harry he should be careful who he hangs out with because he doesn’t want to make “friends with the wrong sort”. This brings us to the fourth hidden message: God doesn’t care what your background is so long as you have put your trust in him. The apostle Paul writes in Galatians 3:26-29, “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise”.(NIV)
While at Hogwarts Harry, Ron and Hermione learn that the Sorcerer’s Stone is being hidden there in an attempts to keep it away from Voldemort. As Harry, Ron and Hermione search for the Sorcerer’s Stone to help protect it they grow closer, while at the same time causing a great deal of trouble. Things finally reach a boiling point when no one will believe that the Sorcerer’s Stone is in danger. Harry finally decides that is better to risk his life and his budding education at Hogwarts in order to save the Sorcerer’s Stone and possibly the world from the evil that will take over if Voldemort is allowed to return to power. This is the last hidden message. True love is sacrificial.
Jesus said in John 15:13-17, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you so that you might go and bear fruit-fruit that will last-and so whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other” (NIV). Always remember this we have been called to love each other in the same way that Jesus loves us. Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to take the punishment for our sins. This is the definition of true love and is displayed over and over again through out the story of Harry Potter.