I vote for...

I was reading a magazine last night and they had an article where women voted on who their favorite female celebrities were- who they felt were the most beautiful and worthy of being a role model. If we took a similar vote from people in the Bible, I’m willing to bet that the list would be represented with the likes of Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Peter, Paul… you know, the ones we always hear about because there’s a lot written about them.  But you know who my favorite person from the Bible is and who I would vote for? Andrew…

Andrew was one of the first followers of Jesus. He was one of the twelve Jesus chose to be part of his crew that traveled with him, ministered with him, and lived day in and day out with him.  Here’s why I like Andrew- one, he challenges me in my relationships and two, he encourages me in the times my efforts go unseen.  Let me explain…

There’s really not much written about Andrew outside of being listed as a disciple.  We just get a few quick glimpses, but in each of these glimpses there’s a common theme.  When Andrew first encounters Jesus and realizes who this man is, it says the very first thing he did was find his brother Peter and bring him to Jesus too. Later in Jesus’ ministry, the disciples find themselves tired and hungry after a long day with a mountainside of thousands looking to them for something.  It was Andrew who brings a boy with a few fishes and loaves to Jesus with anticipation of something great. Then at the end, right before Jesus is to die, Andrew brings a couple inquisitive Greeks into his Messiah’s presence. 

These are stories you might just skip over as you’re reading the gospels because they tend to precede stories far bigger and better that we focus on instead. But if you pause and look, there’s definitely something to take away.  Every time we see Andrew, he’s bringing someone to Jesus. Not in an obnoxious way or in a "friendship with an agenda" way.  He was just so excited and overflowing with joy from his own encounter with Jesus that he couldn’t help but draw in whoever else was around- his brother Peter, a young boy, a couple of Greeks… Can you imagine how different the formation of the early church would have been if Andrew had not run and told Peter about the Messiah? The thousands on the mountain would have gone home with empty stomachs and doubtful hearts if they hadn’t gotten to experience the miracle of what Jesus did with those few fishes and loaves.  And I can only imagine the account the Greeks went home and told after encountering this man called Jesus who was right there before them, then died, and then three days later rose from the dead. I’m sure their testimony helped open doors and hearts for the gospel message that would soon be coming their way.

Now do you see why I like Andrew? I wish he got more kudos in scripture for how awesome he was. Maybe that’s part of the lesson too though… we don’t always receive credit for contributions to the kingdom of God.  But, when we are faithful in pointing the world to the Savior it craves, there’s no telling the impact it will have down the road.  You may or may not get to see the fruit, but that’s not the point. The point is this- are we keeping what God is doing in our lives to ourselves, or drawing others into the redemptive, healing work so they can experience it too?

May we all be broken of our bubbles and our routines… may we learn to be an “Andrew” to the people God puts in our path… and may we continue on even when we don’t get recognition for our faithfulness…