The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah.” John 1:41
Andrew – the story of his encounter with Jesus is a simple, powerful one that can help us as we seek to share the faith.
Andrews are needed to hear about Jesus. A little-known disciple of John the Baptizer sees the man from Nazareth and hears Him identified as the Lamb of God. He believes and rejoices. Before going out to witness, we need to see Jesus as the Lamb of God. By His grace we believe and rejoice. Again and again we hear His Word.
Andrews are needed to follow Jesus. Andrew, having seen Jesus, asked where He was staying and followed him to learn more. He obeyed and became one of Jesus’ disciples. We also need to follow Jesus. Believing, we want to hear Him again and again. We hear and obey and hear and obey. He makes us His disciples. We regularly grow through Word and Sacrament. We study the Word personally and in groups. We serve as Jesus leads.
Andrews are needed to bring others to Jesus. The minute Andrew left Jesus, he hurried to tell his brother, “We have found the Messiah.” Then he brought Simon to Jesus. And Simon Peter became a powerful spokesman for the early church. Andrew: a quiet witness, a relatively unknown follower of Jesus, an important instrument of God’s love.
God needs us also to bring a brother or sister to Jesus. He brought us to faith in our baptism. We see Jesus, crucified and risen for us. We follow Him by hearing and obeying.
He provides us with power to witness. Very simply and quietly we go to the family member, the neighbor, the co-worker, the friend and say, “We have found the Messiah.” And we bring that person to Jesus through His church. Yes, Andrews are needed today. That means you and me.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, use me like Andrew to bring someone to You. Amen.
(Devotions from “My Daily Devotion” by Dr. Stephen J. Carter, copyright 1988, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. For ordering information, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: Job 17-19 Matthew 10:21-42
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