ANDREW ... the patron saint of all personal workers
(JOHN 1:40-42)
Andrew was a go-getter ; and if some readers are unfamiliar
with this questionable terminology, an explanation will be
welcome. A go-getter is a man who stops at nothing. In order
to attain his ends he will remove mountains, cross oceans,
turn the world inside out, laugh at impossibilities, and finally
set a city on fire while other people are looking for a match.
A go-getter is a person who goes and gets what he desires,
and woe betide anybody who stands in the way. Failure is
never admitted, for the untiring man continues until his pur-
pose is fully achieved. Andrew was a man of this calibre.
He knew what he wanted, and always took the short cut to
reach it. Other men became the great generals in the holy
war; but Andrew planned the campaigns, removed the diffi-
culties, and prepared the way for every fresh advance. He
was a great go-getter ; the patron saint of all who seek souls
for Christ.
Andrew First Found Peter
Jesus of Nazareth had been entertaining guests, and one
of the privileged visitors was Andrew. He had been standing
with John Baptist when the Stranger passed, and hearing John
say, " Behold the Lamb of God," Andrew and another dis-
ciple had followed Christ. When they received the invita-
tion to accompany the Saviour, they accepted gladly the hos-
pitality of the new Friend, and stayed with Him the whole
day. "And one of them which heard John speak . . . was
Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his, own
brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the
Messiah. . . . And he brought him to Jesus." There was no
fuss about this quiet man. He had been with Jesus, and was fully
assured that his findings were correct. " We have found the
Messiah " echoed the certainty of his soul ; and that was that!
Until this time Andrew took pride of place from his brother
Simon. It is interesting to notice that the sacred record says
of Bethsaida, "It was the city of Andrew and
Peter " (John 1 :44). Perhaps he was the elder brother.
Andrew First Found the Lad with the Loaves
When the Lord had gathered together His band of disciples,
He separated them into couples in order that their ministry
might become more effective. And in the new arrangement,
it would appear that Andrew's partner was Philip, for their
names are not only coupled together in the official list (Mark
3: 18), but these men are seen together also on later occasions.
" When Jesus saw a great company come unto him, he saith
unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? ...
Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is
not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a
little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother,
saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley
loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so
many?" (John 6: 5-9). Were his eyes alight with expectation
as he uttered those words? The provisions were so inadequate
that to mention them on such an occasion was an act of
stupidity-unless Andrew had very strong reasons for so
doing. While the other disciples were regretting their inability
to feed the crowd, Andrew was investigating the position. He
discovered a boy's lunch. The big man and the small boy
pooled their resources, and through them the Master fed a
multitude.
Andrew First Brought the Gentiles to Jesus
" And there were certain Greeks among them that came up
to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip,
which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying,
Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew:
and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus" (John 12:20-22).
Philip was puzzled. Let us not blame him, for this marked a
new departure in the affairs of discipleship. These Greeks
were proselytes, but they were still Gentiles. Had they any
part in Messianic privileges? Would their inclusion result in
troublesome repercussions? "Andrew, what do you think
about it?" And when Andrew had shrewdly considered the
matter, he replied, "Philip, we'll tell the Master: He'll know
what to do." " And Andrew and Philip tell Jesus." And
Jesus answered, "The hour is come, that the Son of man
should be glorified.... And I, if I be lifted up from
the earth, will draw all men unto me." Andrew reminded
the Lord of the great world of seeking Gentiles ; the Lord
gave to Andrew the great privilege of bringing those Gentiles
to Him. And perhaps that is the reason why he is now the
patron saint of all personal workers for Christ.
