"Are We Missing Something?"

Andrew was the brother of Peter. He is only mentioned a total of thirteen times in the gospels. "He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which translated means Christ)." (John 1:41) Andrew brought Peter to the Lord! Andrew brought a young lad with five barley loaves and two fish to Jesus (John 6:8-9). Philip came and told Andrew about some Greeks (they were proselytes to be able to enter the temple) going to worship and Andrew, along with Philip, went to Jesus about them (John 12:20-23). What I noticed was on these three occasions, Andrew is bringing someone to Jesus! I realize we aren't speaking of conversions as we would think, but Andrew was trying to get people to meet the Lord! Some may think all this is trivial but is it really?

Have you ever been around people that are always trying to bring people to the Lord? Have you ever spent any time with them, listening to them? They are something to behold! Their convictions, their desires and willingness just reaches out....and exposes us! Why don't we all do it? I know the obvious answers, at least I think I do. Some can reach out to people to lead them to Jesus because they are made to feel guilty if they don't. What a sad state of being to be motivated by guilt. Some are just afraid! There seems to be this silent guilt within people when we speak of bringing people to the Lord! But that's not my point. I just wanted us to look closely at Andrew and rejoice in his willingness and desire that he had in the souls of others and wanted to share them with Christ! I realize one can only give what they possess and Andrew had found Jesus, the Messiah, and was excited about Him.

As a reminder for us, Andrew did not come up with some 12 step program or 7 steps to success. He wasn't ashamed or made to feel guilty to reach out to others. He didn't work on his relationship skills in order to communicate better. He had no idea of how to manage the wrongs of society. I am not so sure he knew exactly what he found in Jesus, but it moved his spirit and heart. He searched through a crowd looking for his brother Peter. He knew Jesus was looking for help in feeding a large crowd and eagerly offered this lad and his goods to Jesus. He wasted no time in reporting to Jesus these Greek worshipers wanting something for them. He had found the One that was faithful and loving and this One had cared deeply for his and others eternal well being. It was all that mattered and he wanted others to share in this wonderful Messiah. Maybe, just maybe...are we missing something?