Who was Andrew? There are many Bible characters
of whom we know more about than Andrew because there is more written
about them. Sometimes in our lives we feel unimportant because
we are not able to do things that others do. Yet, the "big"
thing does not make us "big" in the sight of God. God
did not expect us all to be elders, deacons, preachers, Bible
class teachers; but what He does expect is for us to do our best..
As Jesus began His public ministry, He chose twelve
men to carry on the work after His death and ascension back into
heaven. Andrew was one of these twelve men chosen.
As we think about Andrew, there are some things
about him that will encourage each one of us.
Andrew was an ordinary man. He never wrote
a book that we know of. He was not one who was in the forefront
like Peter, James, and John, or even Paul, for that matter. So,
what was Andrew's most noble asset? Simply introducing others
to Jesus. John 1:41,42. He found his brother Simon (Peter) and
brought him to Jesus. In John 6:5-9, it was Andrew that brought
the boy who had five barley loaves and two small fish, so that
Jesus could feed the five thousand. Again, in John 12:20-22, it
was Andrew, along with Philip, who brought the Greeks, "Who
would see Jesus," to Him. Just think of the ordinary people,
using what they had in great works - Andrew, Philip, Eunice, Lois,
Dorcas, and a host of others. There is a place for you in God's
service.
He was a man of zeal. When he met the Savior
his first desire was to find his brother Peter and bring him to
Jesus. Andrew had great news, "We have found the Messiah."
He could not contain himself and not tell others about this great
message. Notice he brought only Peter to Jesus. We, too, need
to be bringing others to learn about Jesus. We have this same
great "news" that we have found the Savior, and we want
others to have that same great feeling of salvation.
He was a great man of faith. When he saw Jesus,
he was convinced that he had found the Messiah. This implies that
he had an open mind - that he was searching for the Messiah. He
was already a follower of John. It also implies that he had a
desire to know more about Jesus. The only way we, too, can be
people of great faith is to have an open mind to the "Words
of Jesus," for they will judge us in the last day.
He was a man of outstanding humility. As we
have pointed out, Andrew introduced his brother Peter to Jesus.
Peter is far better known than was Andrew. It was Peter who answered
the question of Jesus in Matthew 16:15. "He said to them,
'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter answered and said,
'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'" It was
Peter who went up on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus,
James, and John. Peter's sermon is recorded in Acts 2. How do
you think that Andrew felt about this? Andrew understood what
he could and what he could not do in the service to the Lord.
Because of his humble spirit, he accepted the plan that God had
for him. (James 4:6)
Andrew is a great example for us today to use
our talents that we are given no matter how small or great they
may be. Always remember that with the proper attitude the "small"
thing one does is just as important as the "big" things.
Think of what Jesus said about the widow's mite. Mark 12:41-44,
"Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people
put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.
Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a
quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them,
'Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more
than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put
in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all
that she had, her whole livelihood.'"
Too many times we want to look at some great thing
someone has done and forget about the little things. I heard on
the news the other day of a man who bet his brother that he could
not save one million pennies. Well, the brother did. A penny seems
like a worthless effort, but one million pennies is ten thousand
dollars.
Bringing someone to Jesus can lead to a million
souls before the day of judgment. We might not be a Peter, James,
or John, but we can be an Andrew. 18 Darrah Lane, Fairview, WV
26570.