by Jilene Scherenske
Andrew’s Pattern of Soul Winning Begins (John 1:41-42)
Joh 1:41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
What was his response to the gospel? To this new Master in his life? He believed Who Jesus was, the Messiah, the Son of God, and so immediately he began his life-long habit of bringing souls to Jesus. He first went and got his brother Simon, whom we know mainly as Peter. This is the brother that is so different than he. So over-the-top compared to quiet, conservative Andrew. Yet obviously Andrew held in his heart great love for his brother so much so that Simon was the first one he thought of to introduce to Jesus. One might think that Simon would need a lot of persuading, being the person that he was. He was hot-tempered and rash. One might think that this would not be the first person Andrew would consider. Peter might be the ‘hard case’. But Andrew was obviously so passionate, so sure of what he now believed to be true that, at the very least, Simon’s curiosity was peaked, and he went quickly with Andrew to find his Savior. I wonder where was Peter? Was he fishing? Was he on the shore repairing nets? Did Andrew grab him by the arm and pull him forward so excited he was for his brother to meet the Savior? One author said that Peter was the big fisherman and Andrew was the little fisherman, yet it was the little fisherman that landed the big one by bringing him to Jesus! Andrew did not approach Peter hesitantly saying that he thought he might have discovered the Messiah. No! He boldly proclaimed, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. (John1:41). This soft spoken, quiet and personable man had such joy in his heart and such assuredness in his words that Peter was convinced immediately that this Man Jesus was worth meeting. I love the words in scripture, Joh 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. So Andrew began his soul winning pattern at home – with his own brother. I wonder if then he went on to tell his parents? And then to other family members? I believe his enthusiasm for Christ could not be contained.