Friday, September 14, 2012

"Come Meet Jesus"

40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). — John 1:40–41 (NASB95)

One of my favorite people in the Bible is a guy named Andrew. The reason I like him so much is that I think it’s easier to follow Andrew than lots of other people. I mean, there are many Bible characters who are larger than life. Abraham would be tough to top. How about Samson with all his long-haired strength? Anybody want to try to be like David? Or Solomon? How about Peter, or Paul, or John? Sure we can come close to each one, but to be like any of them would be a stretch for most of us.

Then there’s Andrew. We don’t know a lot about Andrew, but what we do know says that pretty much anybody could be like him. He seems quiet, unassuming, and mostly a behind-the-scene kind of guy. Though an apostle of Jesus, he didn’t write any books of the New Testament, we don’t find him going on mission trips, and we don’t see him taking the lead. Now he could have done all of that, but he’s not presented that way in the Bible. But there is something about him that is outstanding.

In John’s gospel, it’s Andrew who quickly saw Jesus and understood who He was. In modern terms, Andrews might be called an “early adopter” because he was among the first to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. Not everybody can so quickly come to that conclusion, but it’s a great example to leave for us.
Then, Andrew found his brother, Peter, and declared, “We have found the Messiah.” It was Andrew who brought Peter to Jesus.

Later in John’s gospel, it’s Andrew who noticed that there was a boy with five loaves of bread and two fish. He wasn’t sure what could be done with them, but it turns out to have been the basis for one of Jesus’ best known miracles, feeding the 5,000.

Again in John’s gospel, some Greeks came and wanted to see Jesus. They first came to Philip, who talked it over with Andrew. The two of them then went to Jesus.

It seems that Andrew often brought people to Jesus. Different times, and different reasons motivated him to do so, but it’s a compelling testimony about the man. And it’s why I think more of us today could learn from, and follow, Andrew’s example. You see, anybody can bring somebody to Jesus. You don’t have to have all the answers, nor do you have to be some outstanding leader. You don’t have to know how it’s all going to turn out. You just need the confidence that Jesus is the Messiah, and invite others to come meet Him. I’m so thankful for Andrew, and all the other “Andrews” who don’t need to be some top dog. You see, they know the “top dog,” and say, “Come see.”

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