Be an Andrew, Be a Disciple
Dear Saints:
We continue our in-depth study of John 1. Many young people often have someone they wanted to be like when they grow up. In those days, it used be people like Michael Jordan because of his God-given gift of basket maneuvers and excellence on the court. Who do you want to be like when you “grow up”. May I recommend a not so well known name, Andrew. He was one of John the Baptist’s followers. When Andrew saw Jesus, he switched from John and followed Jesus and later became one of Christ’s disciples.
“40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the [l]Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of[m]Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, [n]A Stone).” John 1:40-42.
When you find the Messiah, you do not hesitate to follow Him. Note that John the Baptist had no problem with his followers switching sides and following Jesus. When you are not bent on attracting people to yourself, you can then point them to Jesus to follow and be saved. Who are you holding ransom and not letting go to follow Jesus?
Also note the first thing Andrew did. He brought Simon Peter, his brother. Yes, I want to be like Christ through the eyes of Andrew and bring my brothers and sisters to Christ.
Did you see Simon’s name change to Peter (stone)? Some of us need a name change. Names people have given us and names we have given ourselves because of what has happened in the past. What has happened in the past? Hurt, abused, bruised, betrayed, failed? It all comes down to one name, sinner. Our names must be changed from sinner to saint, saved and sanctified. Many of us are on shaky sandy-ground and we need to stand permanently on the unshakable “cornerstone” Jesus Christ.
Can you allow Jesus to change your name today and become a disciple instead of just a follower? A disciple according to Jesus: 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26-27.
Will you be an Andrew today? Who will you bring to Jesus through prayers, kindness, love and speaking the Gospel to? The only thing of value you can bring to Jesus is people, and not your money. Are you looking forward to heaven to see people you introduced to Jesus? Oh yes, there will be rewards for all we do here – good or bad when we appear at the judgement seat of Christ. (see 2 Corinthians 5:9).
What is consuming all your efforts on this side of eternity? Being a disciple will cost you – your pride, entitlements, hurts, things you believe you deserve and have earned and yourself. Only the cross of Christ is sufficient for a disciple of Christ in whom we are made whole and complete. Point people to the cross and the Christ of the cross who paid for our sins that we may be forgiven forever.
Forgiven? Then forgive others today and help people become forgivers and those forgiven by Christ.
Lord, help us to imitate Andrew and bring people to you and live as true disciples and not just followers. Amen
We continue our in-depth study of John 1. Many young people often have someone they wanted to be like when they grow up. In those days, it used be people like Michael Jordan because of his God-given gift of basket maneuvers and excellence on the court. Who do you want to be like when you “grow up”. May I recommend a not so well known name, Andrew. He was one of John the Baptist’s followers. When Andrew saw Jesus, he switched from John and followed Jesus and later became one of Christ’s disciples.
“40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the [l]Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of[m]Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, [n]A Stone).” John 1:40-42.
When you find the Messiah, you do not hesitate to follow Him. Note that John the Baptist had no problem with his followers switching sides and following Jesus. When you are not bent on attracting people to yourself, you can then point them to Jesus to follow and be saved. Who are you holding ransom and not letting go to follow Jesus?
Also note the first thing Andrew did. He brought Simon Peter, his brother. Yes, I want to be like Christ through the eyes of Andrew and bring my brothers and sisters to Christ.
Did you see Simon’s name change to Peter (stone)? Some of us need a name change. Names people have given us and names we have given ourselves because of what has happened in the past. What has happened in the past? Hurt, abused, bruised, betrayed, failed? It all comes down to one name, sinner. Our names must be changed from sinner to saint, saved and sanctified. Many of us are on shaky sandy-ground and we need to stand permanently on the unshakable “cornerstone” Jesus Christ.
Can you allow Jesus to change your name today and become a disciple instead of just a follower? A disciple according to Jesus: 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26-27.
Will you be an Andrew today? Who will you bring to Jesus through prayers, kindness, love and speaking the Gospel to? The only thing of value you can bring to Jesus is people, and not your money. Are you looking forward to heaven to see people you introduced to Jesus? Oh yes, there will be rewards for all we do here – good or bad when we appear at the judgement seat of Christ. (see 2 Corinthians 5:9).
What is consuming all your efforts on this side of eternity? Being a disciple will cost you – your pride, entitlements, hurts, things you believe you deserve and have earned and yourself. Only the cross of Christ is sufficient for a disciple of Christ in whom we are made whole and complete. Point people to the cross and the Christ of the cross who paid for our sins that we may be forgiven forever.
Forgiven? Then forgive others today and help people become forgivers and those forgiven by Christ.
Lord, help us to imitate Andrew and bring people to you and live as true disciples and not just followers. Amen
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