All Believers are Important

The following day John (the Baptist) was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.

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

“Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”).

Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. (John 1:35-42a, New Living Translation)

Andrew was Simon Peter’s brother, and unfortunately, whenever the two brothers are mentioned together, Peter’s name is first, making it seem as if Andrew is not as important. However, Andrew had initially been a disciple of John the Baptist. When John pointed out Jesus as the Messiah, Andrew immediately followed Him and introduced Him to his brother Simon as soon as he could.

As Jesus’ ministry grew, Peter and the other two brothers, the Sons of Thunder, John and James, became part of His inner circle, privy to things which the other disciples were not. There is one instance, however, where Andrew is included in this group.  

As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.”

            Jesus replied, “Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives across the valley from the Temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to be fulfilled?”

            Jesus replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. (Mark 13, 1-8, New Living Translation)

I guess Andrew was indeed pretty important to Jesus to be included in that conversation. And we are just as important to Jesus. He wants us to know what the future holds for us and what we need to watch for.

Read the rest of Mark chapter 13 to find out more. That time might be coming sooner than we realize. Are you ready?