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Introduction
Andrew (Hebrew: Geber ha-Bethtzaidi—Greek: Andreas tis Bēthsaidas) was born circa AD 8 (3768–3769 in the Hebrew calendar) in the Roman district of Gaulanitis. He was Simon Peter's brother, and they partnered in a fishing business on the Sea of Galilee. Their hometown was Bethsaida (see John 1:44). Andrew was the first apostle that Jesus called. His name (G406) is undoubtedly Greek, deriving from the noun andros (G435, "masculine"). Before Jesus called him, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist (see John 1:35-40).
Andrew's pivotal role in the early stages of Jesus' ministry is often overshadowed by the prominence of his brother, Simon Peter. Yet, Andrew's significance lies in being the first called by Jesus and in his proactive approach to sharing the good news. After encountering Jesus, Andrew wasted no time bringing his brother Simon to meet the Messiah. This momentous event would ultimately transform Simon into Peter, the rock on which Jesus built his church. Andrew's willingness to introduce others to Jesus highlights his deep conviction and eagerness to share the life-changing message he had discovered. Andrew appears as a bridge-builder throughout the gospel narratives, connecting individuals to Jesus and facilitating encounters that would shape history. His humble yet impactful ministry serves as a reminder of the profound influence ordinary individuals can have when they respond faithfully to the call of Christ.
Andrew: Bringing People to Jesus
The four gospel writers do not tell us much about Andrew. However, when they mention him, Andrew always brings people to meet Jesus. Perhaps this is to continue the "fishing for people" theme from when Jesus first called him (see Matt. 4:17-19; Mark 1:15-17). When Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000, Andrew drew his attention to the boy with the fish and loaves of bread (see John 6:5-9). Again, Andrew introduced some Greek pilgrims to Jesus during the Passover festival, which led to his crucifixion (see John 12:20-22). Mark took the theme of Andrew introducing people to Jesus in his gospel account and made it eschatological. This idea is apparent when Jesus foretold the Jerusalem temple's destruction in AD 70. The other three gospel writers did not mention Andrew in their Olivet Discourse passages (see Matt. 24:1–25:46; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36). Just as Andrew was present when Jesus told the Greek men about the kingdom of heaven as a grain of wheat (see John 12:23-24), he was also present when Jesus spoke of it in more violent imagery (see Mark 13:3-8). Andrew invites us to meet Christ just like he introduced his brother Simon Peter, the little boy with the loaves and fishes, and the Greek pilgrims.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Andrew may occupy a relatively understated role in the gospel narratives, his consistent pattern of bringing others to encounter Jesus resonates with timeless significance. From the shores of Galilee to the bustling streets of Jerusalem, Andrew's humble yet impactful ministry embodies the essence of discipleship—bringing others into transformative encounters with the living Christ. Whether through introducing his brother Simon Peter, facilitating the miraculous feeding of the multitude, or bridging cultural divides by connecting Greek pilgrims with Jesus, Andrew's example challenges us to embrace our role as ambassadors of Christ. Just as Andrew extended invitations to encounter Jesus in his earthly ministry, so too are we called to invite others into a relationship with the Savior, both in the present moment and as we eagerly anticipate his return. As we reflect on the legacy of Andrew, may we be inspired to follow in his footsteps, continually inviting others to experience the boundless love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the universe; you gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son, Jesus the Messiah, and brought his brother with him: Give us, whom your holy Word calls, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Bibliography
Book of Common Prayer. Huntington Beach, CA: Anglican Liturgy Press, 2019. p. 624.
Hogue, Wayne A. "Andrew: The Disciple Who Brought People to Jesus." Wesley Center for Applied Theology, Northwest Nazarene University. (link).
Kranz, Jeffrey. The Beginner's Guide to the Bible. Bellingham, WA: OverviewBible, 2020.
Nelson, Ryan. "Who Was Andrew the Apostle? The Beginner's Guide." OverviewBible. June 17, 2019. (link).
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