Men of Character: Andrew

Men of Character: Andrew (John 1:41-42a)

John 1:41-42a, He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus.

Although his name is Andrew, he is most often referred to as the brother of Simon Peter (Matthew 4:18; 10:2; Mark 1:16; Luke 6:14; John 1:40; 6:8). Although he often stood in the shadows of his popular brother Peter, God had a specific plan for Andrew. He was a fisherman by trade (Matthew 4:18). He was a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35, 40). He became a follower of Christ as soon a John pointed him to the Messiah (John 1:36-37). At this point, and from this time on, he left the fishing business and to follow Christ (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16-18).

It was Andrew who was the first to be called by Christ and who would bring Peter to Christ (John 1:41). Whenever we read about Andrew doing something, it is him bringing someone to Christ. Andrew would go home to find his brother Peter to lead him to the Lord. NOTICE: Later, who would preach and reach 3,000 souls for Christ? Who would perform miracles? Who would write two books in the New Testament? Andrew would not do any of these things, but he knew a man who had potential and if Christ saved this man, he could do great things. He had a part in it. He remembered the day he said to his brother, “We have found the Christ”. Everything Peter did for the Lord Andrew has a part in it.

In John 6, we see the feeding of the 5,000. While the rest of the disciples were making excuses as to why they could not feed the 5,000, Andrew found a young boy who was willing to offer his lunch to Jesus. To Andrew, this boy was not a varmint; he was valuable. Andrew didn’t know how or why, but he knew if he could get this lad to Christ, that He would use him in a big way. The history of the church is the history of little people who led big people to Christ. Many tend to overlook the little man, downplay him with the questions, what can he do or amount to? True, Andrew lived in the shadows of his popular brother Peter, but he was a tremendous blessing to others. Some day when we’re in Heaven we’ll be surprised by the greatness done by those we never heard of.

Winning people to Christ involves effort (Luke 15:4). Sinners need the Lord and it helps for them to see Christ’s love manifested in and through us. What is the Lord leading you to do right now? Do you often compare your life with someone else's life? If so, you have your focus off target. God had a very specific plan for Andrew, and it was a different plan than God's plan for Peter. That being said, God has a very specific plan for you, and it is different than His plan for others. So, don't compare your life with others; compare it with God's will.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, what could You do in and through my life if I was 100 percent, completely willing to do what You called me to do. Help me not to get distracted, discouraged, disappointed in Your work. May I never get lukewarm in Your service for the souls. In Jesus name, Amen.

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