The Call of the Apostles - Andrew

 

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he [Jesus] saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 4:18–22 ESV).

 

Andrew was also a fisherman from Bethsaida and originally a disciple of John the Baptist. After hearing John identify Jesus as the "Lamb of God," Andrew followed Jesus and spent the day with Him. Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, Andrew immediately brought his brother Simon Peter to meet Him. The calling of Andrew is described primarily in the Gospels of John, Matthew, and Mark. The narratives break down into two distinct moments. The initial encounter (cf. John 1:35-42) took place near the Jordan River. Andrew and another disciple (traditionally believed to be John the Apostle) heard John the Baptist speak, which prompted them to follow Jesus. Jesus turned and asked, "What do you want?" When they asked where He was staying, He replied, "Come and you will see." Andrew spent the day with Jesus and was so convinced of His identity that he found his brother Simon, declaring, "We have found the Messiah," and introduced him to Christ.

 

Sometime later, while Andrew and Peter were casting their nets into the Sea of Galilee, Jesus walked by and formally called them to a life of full-time ministry. Jesus said, "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people." The brothers immediately left their nets and followed Him. Because Andrew was the first of the Apostles to be summoned into Christ's service, the Eastern Orthodox Church honors him with the name Protokletos, meaning "the First-Called".

 

Unlike his brother Peter, who is mentioned 156 times in the New Testament, Andrew’s name is only mentioned twelve times throughout scripture. Needless to say, Andrew’s role in establishing the Church was not as obviously impactful and as well-known as some of the other disciples. Regardless of how many times Andrew is mentioned in scripture, it is important to point out that what we do know about Andrew helps us identify character qualities that should be seen in the life of every disciple of Jesus Christ.

 

Perhaps most impactful and unique with Andrew was how he desired so greatly to spend time with men who were noticeably holy. Even before Jesus Christ had fully engaged in his ministry, we see in the Gospel of John that Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist (cf. John 1:40). Andrew followed him and desired to learn of what he was teaching. Which brings us to another important point about the character of Andrew – he was teachable. So much so, that when John the Baptist announced to his disciples, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36), Andrew obediently began to follow Jesus Christ.

 

Those two characteristics would do us well in our journeys. We ought to seek wise men who understand the call to holiness; and, we should seek to be teachable throughout our lives. Let Andrew inspire you to those traits in your life!