Andy- the Foot-Washing Wall Flower

John 1:35-42

"35: The following day, John was again standing with two of his disciples. 36: As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and then declared, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!" 37: Then John's two disciples turned and followed Jesus.

38: Jesus looked around and saw them following. "What do you want?" he asked them.

They replied, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"

39: "Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place, and they stayed there the rest of the day.

40: Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of these men who had heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41: The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother, Simon, and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means the Christ).

42: Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "You are Simon, the son of John--but you will be called Cephas" (which means Petera)."

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Ok, let's talk about Andrew a little, get a little background. Andrew was the brother of Simon, better known as Peter (you know, the hot-tempered guy who had a bad experience walking on water), and was Peter's partner in their little fishing business. He wasn't a very educated man- few people were- but he was drawn in by John the Baptist and his teachings. So when John told him that the Messiah was coming very soon, our Andy believed him.

So you can imagine Andy's surprise when John suddenly stopped talking and pointed to an average-looking, probably dirty, traveler. "Behold, the Lamb of God!"

I can almost hear Andy's thoughts. He looked this Jesus guy up and down. Ok, so he was muscular- so were a lot of people; after all, they worked for a living. He looked like a regular guy. He smelled; probably had been walking through the heat and dirt for days. This is the Messiah?

But I bet he could sense something about Jesus. This man had intelligent, knowing eyes, even though he was only a carpenter. There was something peaceful about this guy. So Andy and his buddy (we'll call him 'Bob', since the Bible doesn't name him) follow Jesus.

Jesus (not being stupid or blind) notices them following him and turns around. "What do you want?" He asked.

Andy (probably nervous around this guy who was supposed to be God made man) said, "Teacher... where are you staying?" Basically he said, "Hey, do you mind if we hang out with you for a while?"

I can almost picture Jesus shrugging. "Sure. Come and see."

So Andy and Bob go with Jesus to stay with him for the rest of the day- and I have a feeling that it was more than just chit-chatting going on, because the first thing Andy did when he left was go and find his brother. "Simon!" HE would have called. "Simon, you won't believe it- we found the Christ! No lie!"

Simon, intrigued by his brother's outburst, of course went with him to see this man with his own eyes and know what his brother was getting into. Jesus looked him over intently and said, "You are Simon, son of John," (not the Baptist). "But now you will be called Cephas." (Peter)

How weird would that be? First you're told that this guy is the Messiah, then he convinces you he is, then he renames your brother and calls him the rock? I think I would have been a little weirded out...

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So Andrew became the first one of the twelve disciples. But why don't we hear of him that often? We hear about Pete all the tim; but without Andy Simon wouldn't have gone to Christ to become Peter. So why is Andy always in the background when, even in the beginning, he was in the foreground?

Why did Andy roll over and let Peter take over? Peter was the boss at work; he was used to leading, to taking control. Maybe Andy saw that his brother would be more successful. Maybe Andy was not a natural leader; not everyone is. Perhaps he was shy, and preferred to do his work without the fuss and fanfare.

Andrew was the worker. He was humbled, and accepted his position and worked well within it. He was the solid, steadfast, constand one. In the feeding of the 5,000 (which was only the number of men, by the way- not including their families) Andy was the only one who offered a positive solution (John 6: 1-15). When people came to see Jesus, a man would test them, to make sure they weren't spies of the priests, etc. That man was probably Andy. And he won so many souls in his position.

Andy was the man who worked in the background, did what needed to be done, without fuss or recognition. There was nothing he wouldn't do, no one he wouldn't help or work with. That's what made him so successful. What about you? Have you ever come across a job you had to pass off to someone else because you just couldn't bring yourself to do it? Ever met someone that, no matter what, you just can't make yourself work with? I have.

But it was more than that; he didn't crave attention. He didn't seek compliments and flattery. How many people would be upset if their name was never mentioned? Those who seek reward here have their reward here, and none in Heaven (Matthew 6:1). And think about it. Someone starts a ministry with good intent. Then they start getting recognition and attention; they like it, so they keep going. The more they get, the further they go. But it isn't for Christ anymore, it's not blessed anymore. So maybe anonymity is a blessing.

But then you have the people who are never mentioned, but continue anyway. The pianist who is expected to be there, and will, even right after carpel tunnel surgery. The commitee member who keeps the grass mowed and the air conditioning working. The man, almost killed, put in a wheelchair, still coming to church every Sunday with a smile on his face. The woman who warns the pastor that his suit jacket is too close to the candles...

Andrew taught us so much in the understated life that he lived. He even died in a weird way. You see, he was witnessing to the gonvernor's wife and daughter, in Greece, and they were saved. The governor, enraged, ordered him crucified. But even in death Andrew understood that he was not worthy to share Christ's limelight; so he asked to be crucified on an "X" shaped cross.

Can you imagine that? Being such a servant, understand to the depths of your soul the core of what Christ taught? I can't. But we need to try. We need to be servants. And I'm not saying that it's bad for people to know what you do; I'm just saying be careful what motivates you. It took Peter a while to understand, but I think Andy got it. Andrew knew, and did, and lived what he believed.

Do you?