A Tribute to St. Andrew, the Apostle

I am penning this piece on the Feast day of St. Andrew, the disciple best known for bringing people to Jesus. He was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee during the early first century. He was an ordinary man, a fisherman by trade. He is identified as one of the two who heard John speak and followed the Lord Jesus (John 1:40). Although Andrew appears early on in the scene of the Gospels, he seems to only play a minor role throughout the Lord’s earthly mission. Andrew’s situation makes me think of the times I have felt rather “ordinary” in the presence of others in Ministry. Even though he wasn’t one of the “pillars of the church” he certainly gains prominence in the lists of disciples and the few incidents we encounter him in suggest he was one of the main apostles. There are many lessons to draw from the personality and life of St. Andrew, just as there are many ways of seeing him. 

Andrew, the Humble One

He was the first disciple of Jesus, but right from the beginning of his discipleship, he was challenged by the older sibling-younger sibling dynamic. He spent his entire discipleship serving in the shadow of his younger brother, Simon Peter. The New Testament 12 times mentions Andrew by name – 10 times along with Simon Peter (and usually as Peter’s brother), and 4 times as part of the list of disciples, but not ever mentioned before Peter (Acts 1:13 and Mark 3:16-19). Even the boat they used for fishing was identified as Peter’s (Luke 5:3), and John and James are referred to as partners with Simon (Luke 5:10). Yet, the two brothers seem to have been inseparable companions and close friends (John 1:41, Matthew 4:18). Not once is there a record of Andrew murmuring about this turn of events – from being the first disciple to serving as a shadow-servant. Despite having to contend with his brother’s elevated status, Andrew was quite comfortable serving in the background as a thoughtful and humble leader (John 12:22).

Andrew the Shadow-Servant

This is because Andrew himself had a great shadow-servant mentor in the form of John the Baptist. John taught his disciples that a person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given to him from heaven (John 3:27). For John had seen the rise of Jesus and experienced his own decline in prominence, and yet said with joy-filled faith that He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30). This is the cry of every true disciple, and Andrew truly lived it. Andrew understood from the very first meeting that the Lord Jesus had plans concerning Simon that were different from his. At the introduction and before Simon had said or done anything, the Lord Jesus gave him his new name, Cephas (Peter, the rock). Andrew understood that Peter was God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that he should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). And Andrew was equally God’s workmanship; for He too was created in Christ Jesus for good works that God had prepared beforehand. Andrew was a man who possessed a keen perception of spiritual truth and pursued the knowledge of God until he had a deep understanding. It must be appreciated that God chose not to give Andrew’s works the same prominence that he gave Peter’s. Andrew shows us how to be content with what we have (Hebrews 13:5) and be faithful to what we have been given (Matthew 25:21). He laboured quietly and with deep commitment. St. Andrew humbled himself under God’s mighty hand, trusting that He would be exalted at the proper time and in the proper way (1 Peter 5:6). And here we are now giving tribute to his discipleship. 

Andrew the Courageous One

Andrew is Andreas in Greek, from the root word aner or andros, which means “man.” The name is related to andreia, which means “courage,” and is most often defined as “manly.” What personality did little Andrew display quite early on in life that his Jewish parents, living in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee, would choose a Greek name for him? Nonetheless, the grown-up Andrew was certainly a man of courage. When John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Lamb of God, Andrew (and an unnamed disciple) had the courage to leave John and follow Jesus (John 1:35-36). And after spending just one day with Jesus, Andrew had the courage to openly identify Jesus as the Messiah (John 1:41).

Afterwards, when Jesus was passing along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew fishing in the lake with a net. He called them to follow Him and instead become fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and followed him. Andrew had the courage to lead his younger brother to unhesitatingly obey the Lord and leave their income-generating activity (Mark 1:16-18). One more incident of note is at the time when Peter was so lost in his guilt that he decided to return to the trade of fishing (John 21:1-3). Several disciples went with him, but Andrew is not named as being present. It is difficult to imagine Andrew not being with his brother on the fishing expedition. However, only a man of courage would make such a decision to not follow the person whom the Lord had commissioned as the Rock.

Andrew was also one who did not hesitate to bring matters and new developments to the attention of the Lord Jesus. When he did not understand things, Andrew had the courage to ask the Lord (Mark 13:3-4)., and the Lord sure did answer. It is this courage to approach the Lord that famed him as the Introducer (John 1:39-42, John 6:8-9, John 12:20-22). His one-day rendezvous with the Lord Jesus filled him with the utmost joy of first introducing his brother Peter to the Lord (John 1:39-42). When the disciples were challenged by the Lord to feed the five thousand gathered to hear Him, Andrew introduced the boy who had five barley loaves and two fishes (John 6:8-9). Even when some Greeks requested to see Jesus, it was Andrew who brought them to the Lord. This linking provoked the Lord Jesus to indicate that the hour had come for the Son of Man to be glorified (John 12:20-23). 

Andrew very quickly responded to his calling as a fisher of men (Matthew 4:18-20). We, too, are called to constantly engage in this very glorious and heavenly calling of introducing others to the Lord Jesus. We do not have to rank with Peter or Paul; but we can bring a brother (Peter), a boy, or Gentiles (Greeks) to the Lord Jesus. No matter how ordinary we might feel, the Lord Jesus can use us to bring others to know Him. St. Andrew is the man to show us how.

Andrew, the Successful Soul-Winner

St. Andrew truly lived the saying Charity begins at home. Immediately he found Jesus, Andrew understood that he had a task at hand. Jesus was worth knowing! This finding was to be shared with others. The impulse to win someone else for the Lord was ignited in him. The message he was carrying was urgent. And the first person he thought about and set about to win for Christ was his own brother; so, he went searching and first found Simon (John 1:41). We too must search for and find those to bring to the Lord, for they will not find us. All people around us who are without Christ are lost. The most important thing we can do to help them is to find them and introduce them to the One who alone can save them (Acts 4:12). Andrew demonstrates that we are first responsible for members of our own family circle before we can go after someone else’s brother. As St. Paul puts it, anyone who does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, denies the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (cf. 1 Timothy 5:8). This task needs much patience, and Andrew was well prepared to achieve it. 

Andrew was a man of strong conviction, enabling him not only to accept Jesus as the Messiah but also to encourage Peter to become a disciple. Andrew knew his brother well enough to understand that he had to give his testimony to convince him. He had the testimony of John, and he had his own testimony. Thus, he gave a spoken testimony of the Lord and for the Lord as the long-awaited Messiah. He seized the opportunity to declare that the Messiah was found (John 1:41). He was ready and willing to speak of and for the Lord (Luke 8:39, Mark 5:19, Psalm 50:23). He did not complicate the message. Anyone could have understood what he said. He was natural in talking about the Lord as his own Saviour. He was certain of his message. He was so sure of what he was saying. He was rested in the assurance of the One with whom he had spent the previous day. He had the wisdom of knowing how much Simon was likewise looking for the Messiah (James 1:5). He knew how to reach Simon’s mind to make contact and win him for Christ.  And win he did; for he did not send him to the Lord. He brought Simon to Jesus and made the introduction (John 1:42). Andrew facilitated the link between the Saviour and his lost brother. His reward was in being present when this brother in turn gave testimony of the Lord and for the Lord (Matthew 16:13-19, Acts 2:14).

Andrew, the Solution-Finder

When faced with the challenge of feeding the multitude, Philip indicated that the money they had could not buy enough bread for the people. But Andrew did not complain. He had faith in the Lord, to offer what was at hand for Him to make use of. As a practicing Jew, Andrew was aware that one of Prophet Elisha’s miracles was the multiplying of twenty small barley loaves to feed a crowd of 100 men (2 Kings 4:42–44). He hoped that the Lord Jesus would perform a miracle even more dramatic than Elisha’s by feeding the thousands with even less. But Andrew’s ability to know what the boy was carrying speaks volumes of his character. Andrew had the knack for seeing people, not their problems. He must have been already out looking for a solution to this possible challenge and had noticed the boy from the crowd and somehow engaged him in conversation. Imagine how this boy who shared his lunch with the Lord must have gone back home with loads to tell his mother. And the link between this boy and the Lord Jesus was again established by St. Andrew. Andrew had the gift of easily connecting with different people – Philip, Simon, James and John, the boy, the Greeks. Given that the Lord Jesus was constantly under threat, Andrew must have had a discerning eye. Philip trusted him and deferred the Greeks’ request to him. He could read people to know whom to bring to Jesus. And he was approachable and willing to help others see Jesus. He was salt that wet people’s thirst for Jesus (Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:50). 

Take-Home Message

Like St. Andrew, we have a special mission to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15). He went far and wide, preaching the faith of the Lord Jesus. In Ministry, we may face similar challenges as he did, but we must learn from him. And we can be like this shadow-servant: faithful, obedient, humble, discerning, responsive, trusted, willing, and courageous. Then only shall we also be worthy to receive the crown of glory. St. Andrew, pray for us!