Make Disciples – A Study of Andrew
How does one reach a thousand? How does 1.2 million Christians reach over 7 billion? More importantly, how does one reach the neighbor across the street? How many of the Hindus can we convince that there is only one God? How many of the atheists can we convince that there is a God? Can we show the Muslims that God is Jehovah and not Allah? Will they accept Christ as the final prophet of God rather than Mohammed?
How many of the Jews can we convert to Christ, the Messiah promised in the Old Testament? How many of the Catholics can we convince to give up tradition and worship neither man nor icon? How many Protestants can we convince to give up the doctrines and commandments of men? How many of the secular world can we convince to prepare for eternity? How?
Consider one of Jesus’ disciples, the brother of Simon Peter, whose name was Andrew. The apostle John gives us three events in the life of Jesus which involve Andrew and all three times, Andrew is bringing someone to Jesus. Ultimately, that’s what Christianity is about – bringing people to Jesus. Making disciples.
ANDREW BRINGS PETER TO JESUS – 1:35-42:
Andrew’s first target was family, specifically, his brother. “We have found the Messiah.” Our evangelism does not have to get complicated. It can be as simple as saying, “I have found the Savior.” Now, it is more involved than just that, but we have to get the conversation started somewhere. “I have found the Messiah.”
We have to be convinced that Jesus is the source of all blessings; that Jesus will bless all of our family and friends if they will simply come to Jesus. But, even if we are convinced of that fact, it will do no good if we do not share that message with others.
ANDREW BRINGS A BOY TO JESUS – 6:1-14:
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Let me point out something else. Andrew could have said this very same thing, to himself, when he found the boy and, based on the small “gift,” decide not to even bother Jesus with it! Yet, he did not. Andrew did not “despise small things.” He brought this “gift” – both the boy and his lunch – to Jesus and allowed the Master to decide what to do with it. What an important lesson for us! Do not underestimate what Jesus can do with what we offer Him! Give faithfully what you can and allow Jesus to multiply it!
ANDREW BRINGS NON-JEWS TO JESUS – 12:20-26:
Some Greeks were among those who had gone up to worship at the feast of Passover and they want a personal interview with Jesus. So, they come to Philip, first.
But, Philip brought them to Andrew, and Andrew – true to his nature – brings them to Jesus. It is at this point, and this is a literary feature of the Gospel of John, that Jesus says, “The hour has come.” The hour for Jesus to be glorified.
He may have been introverted. He certainly did not have the personality that his more flamboyant brother, Peter, had. But he did what he could to serve his master, Jesus Christ. He brought his brother. He brought a boy. He brought non-Jews to Christ.
Make disciples of those around you – bring them to Jesus.
–Paul Holland
