by Allen Harris
Consider the phrase, “living in someone’s shadow.” Chances are, you know exactly how that feels. Your co-workers usually seem to get the spotlight. Your best friend is a superstar, a sweeping success at anything and everything he does. Or, perhaps it hits even closer to home—maybe it’s your brother or sister who has always outshone you. Too many children grow up with a horrible memory echoing in their minds: Why can’t you be more like HIM? or Why aren’t you more like HER?
If any individual in Scripture could have suffered from the “shadow
syndrome,” it was the apostle Andrew. Just think about that for a
second—you probably can’t remember the last time you had a Bible
study on Andrew. Paul? Absolutely. John? Probably. Most churchgoers
even get an annual study of Judas Iscariot on Good Friday, for goodness sakes. But Andrew? Even the Gospel writers didn’t talk about him that much!
The Famous Brother
Andrew grew up in the shadow of his well-known brother, Simon Peter. You know Peter—he’s the one who walked on water. He’s the one who first truly recognized Jesus as the Son of God. He’s also the one who preached at Pentecost. He was brash and headstrong, excitable and passionate. His ups and downs throughout the gospels
are legendary! But what about Andrew? Where was he when the focus was on Peter?
Scripture quietly attests that Andrew was right where he needed to be: at the forefront of the action—within eyeshot of Jesus, but a step behind impetuous Peter. That was his arena, a place of wonderful perspective and influence where he could dutifully go about the
work to which he had been called. And what was the specific ministry at which Andrew excelled? It was simply bringing people to Jesus.
The Witness
Before he could bring others to the Lord, however, Andrew had to encounter Jesus himself. This meeting is pictured in John 1:35-42, where he is portrayed as the first disciple called by Christ. A
follower of John the Baptist, Andrew immediately recognized the significance of the prophet’s description of Jesus as the “Lamb of God” (John 1:36).Without hesitation, Andrew walked straight up to Jesus and subsequently spent the entire day with Him.
Fresh from his time with Christ,what was the first thing this brand-new disciple did? John 1:41-42 reveals that he “found first his own brother Simon” and “brought him to Jesus.” His chief concern was not simply to share the wonderful news, but to physically and
purposefully bring his brother into the presence of the Lord. Almost instinctively,Andrew understood that it was not enough simply to tell someone about the Lord; he had to introduce that person to Christ.Thus began his illustrious missionary career.
Later, in John 6:8-9, it is Andrew who brings to Jesus a young boy with a modest offering: five loaves of bread and two small fish. While all of the other disciples scratched their heads at the lack of food, Andrew spotted the one person among 5,000 who most needed to meet Jesus one-on-one. The result was a bountiful harvest of faith and a miraculous surplus of leftovers—all because this watchful believer introduced an otherwise unknown child to Christ.
John 12:20-22 provides another shining example of Andrew’s call to connect people to Jesus. Here, Scripture says that some Greeks, whom we can assume to be Gentiles (non-Jews), wanted to meet Jesus. Recognizing Philip as one of the 12 disciples, they asked him for an introduction. Isn’t it interesting what happened next? Rather than taking the men straight to Jesus, Philip took them to Andrew. Why? Did Philip have some hesitation in approaching Jesus himself? Was this an example of some hierarchy of leadership within the Twelve?
We may never understand Philip’s hesitation, but, as author John MacArthur relates, we simply cannot miss Andrew’s motivation. He writes, “Andrew was not confused when someone wanted to see Jesus. He simply brought them to Him.He understood that Jesus would want to meet anyone who wanted to meet Him.
. . . In John 1 [Andrew] brought Peter to Christ, which made him the first home missionary. Now he brings some Greeks to Christ, making him the first foreign missionary” (MacArthur, John. Twelve Ordinary Men, p. 681). For Andrew, opportunity and invitation went hand in hand.He simply could not—or would not—ignore any chance to introduce someone to Jesus.
Everyday Evangelism
This world needs more men and women like Andrew. Effortlessly bringing others to the Lord, Andrew stands as a model for what you might call “everyday evangelism.”He did not save his evangelistic zeal for church mission trips to foreign lands or a single “Missions Emphasis Week”once a year. He lived his evangelism in day-to-day life; for him, ministry was not an occasion, but a lifestyle.
How could Andrew’s casual manner become a natural, comfortable, and fruitful part of your own daily interactions?
1. Be on the lookout for spiritual seekers. Many Christians feel nervous bringing up the subject of faith with other people. These anxious believers may think, I can’t mention Jesus to this person.He obviously isn’t interested. But what if he is? It is very possible you would be shocked to discover how many people in your school,workplace, extended family,or social circle are desperately seeking something they cannot fully express.Pray for spiritual eyes to better see these individuals within the crowd of people you pass each day.
2. Get to know the people around you. Wouldn’t it be a tragedy if your next-door neighbor was sitting in his den right now, wondering about spiritual things and yet having no idea about where to go for answers?Would he see you as a source for help? Would you be able to spot his questioning heart? When you become an active part of others’ lives, you become a trusted resource whom God has strategically located to impact their hearts for Christ.
3. Don’t overcomplicate things. We never see Andrew overwhelming
anyone with a lengthy spiritual discourse or a theological argument. His approach was personal, even intimate.His goal was to introduce others to the most important person in his life:Jesus. Talking about Christ should be as simple as telling someone about your husband,wife, or children. If you know how to brag about your kids, then you should have no trouble bragging about your Savior!
4. Remember: Salvation is not your responsibility. Andrew did
not argue with unbelievers or try to change their minds. He simply
brought them to Jesus. Turning a heart toward Christ is not the responsibility of any Christian. That task rests solely with the Holy Spirit.
The Challenge
Like a gifted matchmaker, Andrew spent his life bringing friends and strangers face to face with their true love: the Lord Jesus Christ. He was never overtly recognized for his consistent ministry, and his name appears in the gospels just a few scarce times. This would have been just fine with Andrew. He wasn’t looking for the spotlight, praise, or public esteem. His cry was not, “Look at me!” but rather, “Look at Him!”
In today’s “me first” generation, a call away from self and towards something Higher would be noteworthy indeed. This is Andrew’s challenge: that believers would embrace with dignity their position in the shadow of Christ, excitedly and humbly introducing men and women to Jesus.
This article by Allen Harris was taken from In Touch magazine, June 2006. All rights reserved. www.intouch.org.
