Though New Testament shows little interest in Andrew, he is believed to be the first disciple of Jesus. He was, the son of Jonah, a native of the city Bethsaida/ Capernaum, the brother of Peter (may be the younger brother) and was a disciple of John the Baptist. As directed and pointed by his Guru(teacher) he was unhesitatingly obedient to follow ‘the Lamb of God’. It is believed that the other disciple who followed Jesus with him was evangelist John. The Evangelist says that ‘they saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day...’.
He started his mission in an unusual apostolic spirit inside his own house by introducing Jesus the Messiah whom he long awaited for to his brother Peter without late. Though his co-follower John and his own brother Peter are very eminent in Jesus’ circle he is not worried of the same, but doing his mission very silently and actively. It is important in our spiritual life how we are spiritually brought up! Being a disciple of John the Baptist, his true follower Andrew also may believe “He must increase, I must decrease”. (Jn3:30).
While other disciples were doubt in feeding the five thousand, Andrew foresees the power of Jesus and leads him to the small boy with five loaves and two fishes. The visionaries always envision the great in small things. He always wanted to link people with Jesus. He is the one who informs Jesus about the Greeks who wanted to see him. As his name is from Greek origin, meaning manly, we can see the cultural openness in his family.
He was with the gang of disciple
who questions Jesus about the destruction of the temple when Jesus predicts it.
The Acts of Andrew is well written
in extra biblical texts and his seer to proclaim the gospel is seen in them. He
also became an Apostle to Greeks and a martyr for Christ by suffering the
torture of crucifixion. What a blessedness he enjoyed in following Jesus and
lovingly dedicating himself as a living sacrifice for Jesus.
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