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The Example of Andrew
He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah†(which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. —John 1:41–42
In the first chapter of John’s Gospel, we see John the Baptist pointing to Jesus and directing his disciples to follow Him. Andrew and John heard him and followed Jesus. Then Andrew went to tell his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus.
The thing about Andrew is that once he was convinced, he was convinced. He saw for himself. He believed. And he immediately went out to tell his brother Simon. How we need more Andrews today. If we had more Andrews, we would have more Simon Peters. One person bringing another person to Jesus — it’s so simple. It’s so effective. And it is so neglected.
Mark 2 gives an account of four men who brought their paralyzed friend to Christ. As Jesus was teaching inside a house overflowing with people, these four persistent men climbed up to the roof and lowered their friend inside. Jesus was so impressed with their demonstration of faith that He forgave the man of his sins and healed him (see Mark 2:3–5).
This reminds us that a number of Christians working together can bring a person to Christ who cannot necessarily be brought by one. As Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase†(1 Corinthians 3:6). We all have a part.
Andrew was brand-new in the faith, and often the newest converts are the most zealous evangelists. That’s probably because they are so cognitive of the fact that they have just been saved from a miserable lifestyle. That was Andrew. Maybe we, too, need to remind ourselves time and time again of what God has done for us.
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