Bringing Others to Jesus
John 1:35-42
"(35) The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. (36) When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, 'Look, the Lamb of God!' (37) When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. (38) Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, 'What do you want?' They said, 'Rabbi' (which means 'Teacher'), 'where are you staying?' (39) 'Come,' he replied, 'and you will see.' So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. (40) Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. (41) The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, 'We have found the Messiah' (that is, the Christ)."
Andrew is the disciple known for bringing people to Jesus. Immediate after meeting the Lord, he introduced his brother Simon Peter to the Messiah. Another time, when a great multitude was hungry, he found a boy with five loaves and two fish and brought him to Jesus (John 6:8-9). When some Greeks wanted to meet Christ, Andrew and Philip made the introductions (John 12:20-22). The disciple had great enthusiasm for the Savior.
Andrew's own conversion experience motivated him to let others know about the One who'd changed his life. How about you - have you lost the joy of your salvation? If your Christian life has become stale and musty, it's time to remember what Christ has done for you to ask that He restore your excitement.
Think about how Andrew longed to know the Savior and spend time with Him (John 1:38-39). The disciple's example is a good reminder that sweet fellowship with the Lord isn't supposed to end with devotional times. It should also stimulate a desire to share with others the joy we find in our relationship with Christ. Andrew was motivated by his conviction that Jesus was the Messiah (John 1:40-41). He'd found the answer for a lost and hurting world and wanted others to know.
When Andrew answered the call to discipleship, Jesus told him he'd be catching men instead of fish (Matthew 4:18-19). As followers of Christ, we too have this same assignment. Our styles and opportunities vary, but we're each responsible to develop a lifelong habit of bringing others to Jesus.