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29 July 2007 PM
Some folks labour under the problem of always being associated with a
relative. I remember as a teacher, falling into the trap of saying when
meeting a younger sibling of a child I had already taught: “Oh, you’re so-
and-so’s brother or sister” it isn’t well received. We want to be known as
ourselves.
Andrew is one of the apostles about whom not a lot is known – and he is
almost always referred to as “Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother”.
Not all of us can be great and famous. The Old Testament story about
Elijah and Obadiah makes the same point. But we can all be used by the
Lord if we follow Him in faith and obedience.
Drawing on the passages in John and Mark I want to leave with you some
PRINCIPLES
It begins with family in Andrew’s case – but it could as easily have been
neighbours.
Andrew’s words convey all the hope of Israel at the time. THE MESSIAH.
Jesus is still the hope of every nation.
When Simon meets Jesus – then the LORD takes over – and recognises in
Peter that unique quality of rock-ness.
The LORD will take over. And that is what He does later…..
Mark 1
This work of Jesus extends the simple relationship forged between the
brothers Simon and Andrew with Jesus into a CHALLENGE.
PAGE 3
he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the
lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus
said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 At once they
left their nets and followed him.
The CHANGE : “they were fishermen….I will make you fishers of men”
Jesus promises to take the material and the labour and the focus of their
lives and redirect it.
FISHERS OF MEN
There are a very few people whom the LORD calls away from their gifting
and their manner of livelihood. Many more SERVE HIM IN A NEW WAY
WITH THE FAMILIAR TOOLS they already have.
Remember the Parson in “Jayne Eyre” who misses out on so much because
he cannot accept a missionary work at home. Only a story of course – but
the point is made. (No doubt as a parson’s daughter Emily Bronte drew on
experience?)
What had before been a steady relationship now has a clear focus.
The CALLING impinges not only on their attitude to Jesus – but their
attitude TO WHAT THEY WILL DO!
PAGE 4
At once….
The narrative tends to suggest that from that point on they never fished
for fish again. I don’t think that is the necessary conclusion – what HAD
CHANGED was the FOCUS OF THEIR LIFE’S ACTIVITY
One day – when the training is ended and the Spirit has come they may
well look back and say, like Obadiah, “I did….” But now I DO!
Part of that TRAINING is shared with us in the final cameo of Andrew’s life
as shown by the Gospels:
Along with the others, Andrew is involved in the continuing public ministry
of Jesus – but in John 6 we hear no word from Simon Peter, but a significant
word from brother ANDREW!
o He saw
o He assessed
o He acted
&