Today we will be reading from John 1:35-42:

³⁵ The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, ³⁶ and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” ³⁷ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸ When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” ³⁹ He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. ⁴⁰ One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. ⁴¹ He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). ⁴² He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Today is a day dedicated to Andrew, Peter’s brother.  I’ll admit I’ve often had an affinity for him, seeing as how we share a name.  He is someone who it would be easy to lose track of or pay attention to, seeing as how he is often in the shadow of his respected brother, Peter. 

But when we look at this passage from today, what do we see?  Who is the one who introduced Peter to Jesus?  It was Andrew.  John Chrysoston, one of the great early church fathers, said that Andrew was “the Peter before Peter.”  By his introduction of Peter to Jesus, so many things happened from there that changed the world. 

I think that’s why I love Andrew so much.  He wasn’t flashy; he wasn’t always as highly thought of as Peter, James, and John, but yet it was his willingness to introduce so many to Jesus that made things happen.  He pointed people to Jesus.  

And friends, there is nothing more important than that.  We all want to be great, don’t we?  We all want to be Peter or Mother Teresa or someone so highly regarded.  But when you read the lives of the great, do you know what I think they would tell you?  Don’t worry about being great.  Be faithful. Greatness isn’t what matters.  Faithfulness is what matters. 

Andrew was faithful.  He pointed people to Jesus. And Jesus took care of the rest.  

That’s our job today, friends. To point others to Jesus. With our words, our actions, our social media, with everything we have, and everything we are.  Point others to Jesus.  And He will take care of the rest. Let’s be faithful today. Let’s point to Jesus. And in doing that, all works for His glory.  

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