Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle

Written by Blake Plympton

Well, here we are. This is the last post in our Minor Feast project. This project started last year toward the end of Advent. It is strange though because we are ending our series with the first person according to the church calendar. Andrew the Apostle is put at the front of our liturgy for a very good reason. In this post, we are going to look at two stories of St. Andrew: the first apostle, and the one who encourages faith.  

A lot of times when we look at the lesser-known apostles we start with the story of how they came to follow Jesus. Oftentimes, this is because we do not have much historical data about the person, so we flesh out their life through their calling. In the case of Andrew, I believe that his calling plays witness to his later acts that we see in scripture. In the Gospel of John, we see John the Baptist call out to Jesus proclaiming, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” He makes a similar profession the next day with two of his disciples standing next to him. Upon hearing this statement, the two disciples leave John the Baptist and begin to follow Jesus. (John 1:35-37)

Now, at first glance, this probably sounds like some other apostles. However, there are several whom Jesus called out specifically (Matthew, Philip, James, and John, just to name a few). These people were called out from different places and at different times and they all ended up listening to the call of Jesus. But Andrew and his brother Peter heard the news that this man was the Messiah and followed Jesus. It was through the faith of someone else that they heard and responded.

The second story we have of Andrew is found in John 6. Let me set the scene. Jesus had just finished performing several miracles of healing, some of which happened in front of Jewish leaders who were upset with him. Then at the beginning of Chapter 6, we see that Jesus and his Disciples head over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. While he was heading over, a large crowd followed him. This is where Jesus then feeds the 5,000. If we pay close attention, we can see Andrew playing a part in this. Jesus asked his disciples where they were to get enough food to feed these people as he had compassion for them. Philip responds in doubt and disbelief that they would be able to have enough to feed these people. But there is a boy there who has “five barley loaves and two fish…” Andrew is the one who points out this little boy's faith and his offering to Jesus. Now, Andrew did have some doubts about this boy’s food. “…What are they for so many?” (v.9) Nevertheless, Jesus used this little boy’s food to feed thousands and still have plenty left over.  

As I thought about this story, I was impressed with Andrew’s willingness to let someone else’s faith shine through. In his calling, he responded with certainty at the words of John the Baptist. Then, at the request of Jesus to feed the thousands, he let his faith supersede his doubt. He brought the boy forward listening to the call of Jesus. Even with his doubts, we can see that he responds in faith.

Andrew is someone who brought people along with him. He told his brother about Jesus and he listened. He also brought forward this boy when things seemed hopeless. As we look at these examples of the Apostle Andrew, may we consider who around us needs to hear the good news of Jesus and to bring others along with us as we look to Christ and follow him.

Collect of St. Andrew (BCP 2019, p.624)

Almighty God, you gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Questions for Reflection

1.    When was the last time you shared the gospel with your siblings? How did they respond (both positively or negatively)?

2.    Do you find it easy or difficult to share the gospel with friends that are closest to you? Why?

3.    Take some time to reflect on people who are close to you and need to hear the good news.

a.     What would it look like to invite those people to church?

b.    What would it look like to invite those people to your small group?

c.     How can you be a witness to them?

4.    Spend time this Advent season praying for those people that God brought to your mind. Pray that they would hear the gospel and respond just like Andrew did.