This week we return to another quiet worker, but one who shows us many good things with which we can identify. He's a great follow-up to the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Let's take a look.
In Luke and Mark, Andrew enters the picture as a fisherman from the Bethsaida/Capernaum area. By deduction we know, he had to be a strong muscular man from all the years of pulling in nets filled with fish. The book of Luke tells us he and his brother were business partners with Zebedee's sons, who by the way employed workers. (Luke 5) Knowing this, we can say he was a well-to-do man, not wealthy, but better off than most in those days.
In fact, he owned a house with Simon. One that was large enough to hold extended family in it, and some after-synagogue gatherings. (Mark 1,2,3; Luke 4,8; Matthew 8)
So, in other words, he led a successful life as many might see it. He was in great physical shape, had a thriving business, and a house some may have desired. Yet, we know he was seeking more of God.
How do we know this? He not only went to hear John the Baptist but ended up becoming a student, or disciple, of his. Andrew was there when Jesus walked by after his forty days in the wilderness. When John the Baptist specifically pointed out Jesus as the Son of God (or Lamb of God depending on your translation), Andrew and his friend John followed Jesus immediately without hesitation. This action was repeated again in Matthew 4 when the men were back to work, after spending time with Jesus, and it was now time for Jesus to begin His travels, He came to Andrew's place of business and called for him. Andrew just dropped it all to follow Jesus. No questions asked as far as we know.
I see that he had the right priorities in his life. He didn't allow work or making money to stop him from joining Jesus. I can say that I am not always able to drop what I'm working on and just leave it. I suppose, though, if Jesus were standing there in person and directing me, it might be more easily done.
Before we proceed, I need to back track a moment to focus on one other thing that Andrew did. When he left John the Baptist to follow The Messiah, Andrew spent a short period of time with Him, but then he went to fetch his brother, Simon Peter. (John 1, Luke 4) He was spreading the word of The Messiah's arrival. When you find the truth, do you share it right away? Note Andrew saw for himself first, made sure he had the right information, then reached out to the closest person to him.
So far, he seems to have the ideal attitude and walk with the Lord. But, Andrew's walk with Jesus wasn't without hiccups. He and Philip seemed to be on the same line of thinking when Jesus asked about feeding a massive crowd of people. (John 6) First, Andrew reports about a young boy having five loaves and two fish. Then we see the agreement he has with Philip when he sarcastically in a doubt-filled-manner ends the report with, "... but how far would that go with this huge crowd?" Of course, he gets to experience the answer to his own question. Have you ever told God, sarcastically or not, that it can't be done? Has God ever shown you that the impossible can be done? (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Then there was the time Andrew helped Philip with a request made by Gentile strangers. (John 12) The result... they and everyone around the apostles are told basically Jesus has a greater focus happening. Not exactly the answer they were looking for. On the other hand, we see a different result in Mark 13. Andrew, along with the closest three apostles, wanted to to know about the future and the end of time. So they asked. What they got was a long reply filled with the signs they wanted to know. Andrew wasn't afraid to ask questions - whether he got the answer he wanted or one that seemed out in left field. He asked.
I can relate to Andrew's desire to know the Messiah, it is a daily part of my journey through life. As far as his desire to know details of the end of time, we are all curious. I need to remember to ask Jesus questions, even if the previous reply was not what I wanted to hear. Do you ask questions of the Lord? Do you seek to know Him better? Perhaps, there is a little of Andrew within you as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment