The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”...One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). (John 1:35-36, 40-42 ESV)
When John the baptizer pointed to Jesus and told his followers, "Behold the Lamb of God," one of those followers was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. Andrew immediately followed Jesus. He spent the day with Jesus. He became convinced that Jesus was the Anointed One, the Messiah promised centuries before who would be the hope of Israel. What was the first thing Andrew did? He found his own brother, Simon, and brought him to Jesus.
Lifting up His eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward Him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” (John 6:5-9 ESV)
Jesus was about to feed over 5,000 people with one little boy's lunch. He challenged Philip and the rest of His disciples to feed the crowd, and they were dumbfounded. Philip responded, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” It was Andrew who began to look for the resources to do what Jesus asked, and brought the boy and his lunch to Jesus, to be used in a miraculous provision of food for the hungry.
Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. (John 12:20-22 ESV)
"Greeks" is a term often used interchangeably with "Gentiles." These folks who wanted to see Jesus were non-Jews. Perhaps they were curious. Perhaps they wanted to meet a celebrity. Perhaps they were seeking Him. When they told Philip they wanted to see Jesus, he told Andrew. Then Andrew and Philip together brought them and their request to Jesus.
We see almost nothing else in the New Testament about Andrew. He is, of course, listed in the naming of the 12 disciples of Jesus, but his actions are mentioned by name only in these three places. In each case, Andrew is bringing someone to Jesus.
I believe God wants all of us who name the Name of Jesus as our Savior and Lord to do what Andrew did - to bring people to Jesus. Let's call it "Operation Andrew." One of the simplest ways we can be like Andrew is to invite others to join us in the worship and fellowship and outreach of our church. How might we be effective in inviting people to church and being part of bringing them to Jesus?
First, let's look around and see the people whom Jesus loves who don't yet follow Him. Who are the people God has placed in our lives who have no church home and no outward signs of faith in Jesus Christ? Each of us has friends, relatives, acquaintances and neighbors whom we might invite to church and bring to Jesus. The first step is to identify them, write down their names and begin to pray for them. Make an "Operation Andrew" prayer list.
Second, let's look up to God and begin to ask Him to prepare their hearts to be open to an invitation to church and to show us natural places in our relationship with them where an invitation might be welcomed. Let's believe that God is already working by His prevenient grace, to draw them to Himself. Jesus is more interested in meeting them than they are interested in making church part of their lives. But that can change as the Holy Spirit works in their lives.
Then let's look around for opportunities to cultivate friendship with the folks on our Operation Andrew list. Watch for opportunities to serve them just because we love them. Show them kindness. Listen to their celebrations and their frustrations. Pray with them when there is a need. Friendship is the bridge over which Jesus moves from one life to another.
As we deepen our friendship with them, it's good to look forward to a specific time when we invite them to an event at church (like the children's Christmas play or Christmas Eve Service) or to our small group or to Sunday worship. An invitation to a specific event or worship service is better than an open-ended, "I'd love to have you come to my church sometime" offer. Sweeten the deal. Let's make sure they know we'll be watching for them and they can sit with us and our family. How about an offer to take them to lunch after worship or dessert after the special event? Make it fun and inviting!
Finally, let's look after them when they show an interest in or accept the invitation. A little encouragement goes a long way. We can continue to love them and pray for them so, like Andrew, we can bring them to Jesus.
And what if they say, "no"? Well, we continue to be their friend. We keep praying. We keep loving them. We keep watching for open doors to show them Jesus and His love. We look for gentle, natural opportunities to tell them the difference Jesus makes in our own lives.
Let's be like Andrew. Let's bring people to Jesus. It begins with a willingness to be used by Him in the task, and a list of friends, relatives, acquaintances and neighbors whose lives would be transformed by knowing Him. Now where is my pen?
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