Some recorded that Andrew converted the wife of a Roman governor who had Andrew crucified because she would not recant her faith. Tradition says Andrew was crucified in Greece near Athens on an X-shaped cross. An X-shaped cross is known in some circles as St. Andrew’s Cross. This would have occurred in Patras, around AD60. There is even a book that claims that Andrew hung on his cross for three days preaching the entire time. We can’t say that any of this information is reliable, though, is questionable at best, having been written centuries after the fact.
We would rather investigate what is recorded in inspired Scripture. The fact is, there is surprisingly little in Scripture about Andrew. Though we often hold up Peter, with all of his quirks and pretentious behaviors, as a person we can relate, perhaps there is more going on with Andrew than we have considered.
Andrew is the apostle who
- Encourages with a smile
- Invites someone to a Bible study
- Invites someone to hear a special speaker
- Picks up someone to bring them to worship services
- Takes food to someone
- Gives someone a book or tract to read about a Bible subject
Jesus teaches his students to use the gifts God has provided them to glorify the Father. This is especially true in Matthew 25 when teaches about judgment. Starting in verse 14, He teaches the great parable of the Talents. He wants us to understand with clarity that He intends for us to use what God has provided for us for the glory of God.
In the final judgment scene, pay close attention to His focus. It is on feeding the hungry, giving drink when people are thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, and visiting people who can’t get out. He says when we do these things, we do them to Him, and when we do not do these things, we withhold them from Him. That’s consistent with the greatest commandment from Matthew 22:37-40: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.” Andrew and the others heard that, and Andrew especially put it into practice.
He was among the first to become a student of Jesus. In John 1:35ff, the baptizer points to Jesus, and Andrew and John and says “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two leave John the baptizer and go with Jesus (John 1:35-42). We can only imagine the thrill of that afternoon. They are amazed at the discovery of the Christ as they listen to everything He has to say to them. It prompts Andrew to run to his brother Peter and proclaim to him, “We have found the Messiah!” Those two brothers, Peter and Andrew, then continue with their fishing duties until Jesus personally calls them to become fishers of men (recorded in Matthew 4).
Moving ahead, we see Andrew partnered with Philip to bring others to Jesus. When Philip is concerned about how they could feed 5,000, Andrew notices a young boy with some barley loaves and some fish (John 6:8-11). Still later, Philip brings a couple of Greeks to Andrew, and it is Andrew who introduces them to Jesus (John 12:20-22).
The last time we read about Andrew is at the ascension of Jesus in Acts 1:6-11. Andrew squints to get just one more glimpse of the Lord as He returns to Heaven. While some of us will use special glasses to watch the solar eclipse, those apostles would have wanted anything to shield their last view of Jesus from the perches on that mountain.
Andrew has a unique personality. It’s not like those of Peter, James, and John. Instead, Andrew seems to quietly lead other individuals to meet the Lord. He is content with doing whatever he can, simply using the gifts he has. He then encourages others to do the same.
Andrew is portrayed in Scripture as a thoughtful man. Peter jumps in with both feet, looking before he leaps. Jesus nicknames James and John as the Sons of Thunder because they have a tendency to be reckless. But Scripture never specifically singles out Andrew to receive any rebuke. He may be in a group that receives scolding, but nothing negative is ever attached to Andrew. Still, it is important to note that his Greek name, Andreas, means manly. Muscles, speed, and agility aren’t necessarily the standard for being manly.
Andrew’s focus is bringing people to Jesus. There shouldn’t be any confusion with this: it should be our focus, as well. Andrew knows the value of personal contact. That’s the strongest form of evangelism. Rarely is someone converted to our Lord from just hearing a Gospel sermon (and that’s a shame, because there are some very important words shared in those sermons). Usually there is some sort of relationship between individuals before there is any invitation, study, or attendance.
As we have discussed in other classes, it often begins with a smile or a kind act for somebody who has a need. God has given each one of us abilities that can be used to serve Him. Even if we underestimate our own abilities, we must never underestimate what God can do with what we have.
I don’t find anything that pictures Andrew taking the lead on things. He doesn’t seem to be that extroverted, dynamic person that we often envy. And for that, we have to be thankful, because Andrew shows us that it’s possible for the rest of us to still have a positive effect on the church. We can all be an important cog in the machine that brings others to Jesus. Paul makes this point in 1 Corinthians 12 as he compares the church to a body that has many parts to perform many different roles.