A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR
The third disciple in this series where we are exploring the initial followers of Jesus is Andrew. He is the brother of Simon Peter. Both were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee, perhaps fishing with their father, Jonah.
In the Gospel of John, Andrew is identified as a disciple of John the Baptist. John the Baptist makes this proclamation regarding Jesus, “Look, here is the Lamb of God”. With that word, Andrew and an unnamed disciple begin to literally follow Jesus through the streets. After an introduction, they spend the rest of the day together. Andrew is convinced that Jesus is the Messiah.
Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus.
He appears prominently in many familiar stories from Jesus’ ministry. We read in both the Gospels of Mark and Matthew that Andrew and Simon are on the shore of the lake after a night of fishing. Jesus calls both of them to be “fishers of people”. They immediately leave their boat and without question follow
Jesus.
At the feeding of the 5000, Andrew identified the boy with five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus would use those meager ingredients to feed the multitude. The disciple Philip approached Andrew and sought his help with introductions when some Greeks wanted to meet Jesus.
Sometimes Andrew was included in Jesus’ closest circle of disciples with Peter, James and John. The final Scripture reference we have of Andrew is in the first chapter of Acts, as he is included in the list of disciples.
Tradition and story have Andrew connected to Constantinople, Greece, Rome and Russia. According to legend, Andrew was martyred in Greece around 60 AD. The cross he was crucified on was in the shape of an X, which would be known later as Saint Andrew’s Cross.
Pastor John