Tag: Andrew

Natural or Supernatural?

Barbara WeberLeave a comment

John 6:5-9 WEB

Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?” [6] This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. [7] Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that everyone of them may receive a little.” [8] One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, [9] “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these among so many?”

Jesus tests the disciples by asking a difficult question. He asks where to get bread for the great multitude. One of his disciples, Phillip, responded by looking at their lack and questioning Jesus. Phillip’s first thought was money to solve the problem. In contrast, Andrew looked at their resources before questioning Jesus. It is not great that Andrew questioned Jesus, but it is great that he viewed Jesus as the one who could solve the problem.

How often do we have enormous challenges and ask God for little solutions? We ask for natural solutions when what we need is supernatural intervention. Andrew did something different, he looked to Jesus for a solution. Andrew brought what they had instead of focusing on what they did not have.

Andrew’s response was blessed. Jesus took the fish and loaves that Andrew showed him and miraculously served the large crowd.  On the other hand, Phillip’s response was not blessed. Jesus did not tell Phillip how to get money. Instead, he taught the disciples how to rely on God rather than resources when challenged.

Lord Jesus, please help me look to you first when I face challenges in my life. Help me recognize that I need your input in all the decisions I make. And please, give me wisdom to either act or wait according to your will. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Astonishing Belief

Barbara WeberLeave a comment

John 2:11-12 WEB

This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. [12] After this, he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they stayed there a few days.

Jesus was approximately 30 years old when He publicly revealed His glory. That implies that He carried His anointing without telling anyone for a period. When He did finally reveal His glory the text scripture says it caused His disciples to believe. However, because His disciples were at the wedding, it appears they already believed. They had reason to believe based on the testimony of John the Baptist. Considering two of John’s disciples, Andrew, and Philip, went to follow Jesus, there is a clear argument that they believed before this miracle. So why does the text scripture say the first miracle caused them to believe? The disciples already believed based on the things they heard Jesus say and the testimony of John the Baptist. However, the miraculous sign gave them greater assurance of that belief. In other words, they believed more. It is unlikely the disciples saw great miracles every day. In modern times there are men and women of God that pray for miracles and see them come to pass. Still, they do not see miracles every time they pray. They persist in their faith and obedience and some of those times God intervenes in astonishing ways. Signs happen for everyone. The key is making a mental note, allowing your belief to deepen, and then during periods when things are normal, choosing to remain in that new level of belief.

Lord Jesus, please help me remain in belief. Answer my prayers Lord for that deepens my belief and delivers me from doubt. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The First Soul Winner

Barbara WeberLeave a comment

John 1:39-42 WEB

He said to them, “Come, and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour. [40] One of the two who heard John, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. [41] He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which is, being interpreted, Christ). [42] He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is by interpretation, Peter).

I appreciate the story of Andrew. He was a Galilean which means that most rabbis would not be interested in having him as a disciple. This is because Galilee was the wrong area to be from if you wanted to pursue serving a rabbi. It was practically mandatory to be from Judea if you had aspirations to become a Pharisee. So, this passage starts by revealing John the Baptist had gone to Galilee to find some of his disciples.

More, though Jesus lived in Judea he went to John in Galilee to be baptized. Jesus went to the wrong place, to be baptized by the wrong person, to find the wrong disciples. And what did Andrew do when his teacher, John the Baptist, told him that Jesus was the Christ? He followed him. After Andrew saw where Jesus lived, he went straight out and brought his first soul to Christ. That means Peter was the first soul brought into the Kingdom by a believer. It also means Andrew was the first soul winner.

Lord Jesus, please bless me and help me bring others to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.