‘As the deer pants for streams of water so my soul pants for you, O God’. (Psalm 42:1)‘you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’ (Acts 1:8 NIV)
Who is your favourite Apostle?
On the one hand I tend to gravitate towards the spirituality of John who in his gospel and letters has much to teach us about the nature of and the relationship in the godhead. On the other hand I am drawn towards the humanity of Peter, who so often only opened his mouth to put his foot in it, and yet was restored by Jesus to be used in formulating the early church.
One apostle who few are drawn to is Andrew. He is rarely on centre stage, but he seems to genuinely want to see people come to know Jesus a little better. When he does appear on the scene he is always introducing people to Jesus.
He was the one who introduced Peter to Jesus: ‘The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.’ (John 1:41–42)
; he was the one who introduced the little boy with the loaves and fish to Jesus: ‘Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish”’ (John 6:8-9)
; and it was Andrew who attempted to get some interested Greek people an audience with Jesus: ‘Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.’ (John 12:20-22)
Perhaps he isn’t on centre stage because his purpose was not to focus on himself but to point people to Jesus?
There are many people in this world who want to elevate themselves, or give their opinion on latest issue of the day, but there are few indeed who keep out of the limelight with the intention of leading others to Jesus; whose aim is not to promote themselves but rather that others would know Jesus more deeply.
Can we be an Andrew in someone’s life?
Is there someone we can witness to and invite them to get to know Jesus?
At one time we all needed someone to introduce us to Jesus; wouldn’t be great if we returned the favour by introducing someone else to him?
Prayer
Father give us a heart of compassion for people who do not know Jesus and a passion to want to see them come into a relationship with him.
Amen.
Have a good week introducing someone to Jesus.
Pastor Barry
