Thoughts for the Day

The next day John the Baptist saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed. He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter).

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

* For texts concerning most of the incidents mentioned, see 'Follow up thoughts'.

Today we remember Andrew the Apostle, one of Jesus' 12 disciples, who was the Brother of Simon (called Peter). A fisherman by trade, he was called to follow Jesus, and was his first disciple. He spent three years with Jesus, and is particularly mentioned on some occasions, for instance at Simon Peter's house when Jesus healed the latter's mother-in-law. He would have been one of the disciples sent off in two's to preach, teach and heal the people. He and his brother were also present for most of the incidents that led to Jesus' death and resurrection, and to the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

But we learn most about him from John's Gospel. He was one of John the Baptist's disciples originally and came from Bethsaida, a large fishing village on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. We see his evangelistic credentials on a couple of occasions. It is he, for instance, who takes his brother Simon to Jesus. Andrew is close to Philip who also comes from Bethsaida. Jesus tests Philip at the 'Feeding of the 5,000' by asking where they are to get bread for the people. Philip cannot answer, but Andrew perhaps already wondering if a miracle is possible, answers "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fishes". After this we also see Philip bringing some Greek enquirers to Andrew, who then persuades him to take them to Jesus. Simon Peter was to have a more prominent role in the Church, but it was Andrew who first followed, then convinced his brother, that Jesus was the Messiah. His role was to bring others to Jesus.

Little is known factually of his life after this time, though a number of countries including Scotland name him as their patron saint. He is reputed to have been crucified on an x-shaped cross. Perhaps his legacy today could include us inviting others to follow Jesus.

Lord Jesus Christ,
teach us how to draw others to You,
through our actions and our words.
Help us to become effective witnesses
to Your work in our life,
and to dedicate ourselves to
You and to Your church,
confident that we work in Your name.
Amen.