Day 3: Friday, March 3, 2017
John 1:35-42
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). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).
When I read today’s text, I’m struck by the absence of details of Andrew’s life. Later in the Gospels we’ll learn that Andrew is a fisherman, but for now, all we know is that Andrew has the leisure to be a disciple of John, the spunk to follow Jesus after one short sentence from John, a day to spend with Jesus, and a desire for his brother to know that he has indeed found the Messiah.
What interests me is that Andrew’s life is remarkably free of appointments and meetings. We first meet him as a disciple of John–free to spend hours (and days) with John. Andrew then investigates this man Jesus–free to visit Him, free to stay the afternoon. What? No conflicts on his calendar? Andrew appears to have stripped his life of all but the essentials, and he can indulge his passion for God and his hunger for Messiah.
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I’m also interested in the phrase “the first thing” that appears in verse 41. Andrew could have done many things after his afternoon with Jesus. Maybe he had to tend to his fishing equipment. Maybe he had family responsibilities. Maybe he had projects at home. But no–the first thing he did was to tell Simon that he had met the Christ. I try to imagine their conversation that night, and I pray for Andrew’s zeal for Christ to be present in my heart.
Prayer: Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come; I come.
Just as I am, thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be thine, yea, thine alone,
Lamb of God, I come, I come. . Amen.
Contributed by Katie Doyle
