Andrew was a man whose life before meeting Jesus can best be described as simple.  By combining Mark 1:29-30 with John 1:44, we learn that Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter and that he lived in a house in the city of Bethsaida with Peter, Peter’s wife, and mother-in-law.  Bethsaida was a city located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee and that body of water played a major role in Andrew’s life.  Andrew was a fisherman along with his brother, Peter, and in partnership with James, John, and their father, Zebedee.  To put it simply, he was a working man just like most of us.  It encourages me to see God use that normal man to perform some very extraordinary things.  No one is insignificant in the sight of God.

            John 1:35-42 gives us valuable insight into the character and priorities of Andrew.  The passage tells us, “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!  And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.  Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye?  They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master) where dwellest thou?  He said unto them, Come and see.  They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.  One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.  He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.  And he brought him to Jesus…”

            We can easily see Andrew’s concern about spiritual things.  He appears to have been a man with balance in his life.  He did not neglect his responsibility to work for a living, but at the same time he did not neglect the most important aspect of any life – the spiritual.  He was a disciple of John, one who took the time to learn and to follow the teachings of that great man.  This demonstrates his commitment.  When he heard John identify Jesus as “the Lamb of God” and then spent the day with the Lord, Andrew was willing to commit to Jesus, being convinced that He was the Messiah.  Do not mistake this seemingly rapid change as an indication that Andrew lacked depth or was wishy-washy.  What this shows is a depth of perception on his part.  This normal, working man grasped in a very short time what many brilliant scholars over the years have failed to understand or believe.

            It is important to note as well that Andrew was a seeker of truth.  He had previously been in the wilderness with John, seeking God’s word from that great prophet.  Andrew actively sought the companionship and teaching of the Lord when John pointed him in that direction.  As far as I can tell, Andrew gives us the first example of the fervent evangelistic zeal that overwhelms the heart of one when he or she finds Jesus.  “He first findeth his brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.”

            There is a tradition that Andrew died as a martyr in the town of Patra, crucified on an X shaped cross.  No one knows for certain.  What is important is what we learn of this apostle of the Lord, this fisherman who became a fisher of men.

                                                Greg Litmer