Good news begins where God says to begin

Today Spurgeon’s devotional makes the observation that as soon as a person finds Christ, they are eager to tell others about Him. I’ve experienced this along with most Christians I know. It was this way also with Andrew, one of the twelve disciples that we know very little about.

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). (John 1:40–42)

After a quick look, I notice that Andrew is not mentioned often in the New Testament. His most noticeable activities are bringing people to Jesus, including a lad with loaves that fed a crowd, certain Greeks who wanted to see Jesus, and his brother, Peter.

This tells me that Andrew had that eagerness to tell others and then some. He was likely gifted in outreach and evangelism beyond the enthusiasm of new discovery.

Tradition says that Andrew was martyred at Patrae in Achaia by crucifixion on an X-shaped cross. According to one ancient historian church father named Eusebius, Andrew labored in Scythia, north of the Black Sea, to reach others for Christ. For this, he became the patron saint of Russia. He is also considered the patron saint of Scotland whose flag depicts his death. Little else is known about him.

Spurgeon makes more of Andrew’s example of bringing others to Jesus. He himself did not become well-known, but his brother did. I can think of other cases where relatively unknown Christians have done the same. A Sunday school teacher leads a child to Christ and that child becomes a giant of the faith, or an unknown preacher touches the heart of someone who later becomes a well-known leader.

However, Spurgeon uses Andrew’s example to also say that believers do well to start at home with their own family. God might call me to teach others, but I am first and foremost called to teach my children and relatives. This is a challenge for several reasons.

The greatest challenge is that I cannot force them to believe. Does that mean I can neglect them over others who might be more willing? I don’t think so.  As Spurgeon says, I’m not to export my best commodity. Rather, I have good news and need to share it, always and with those God puts in my path and on my heart. Do I have any idea who will best respond? Could I be an Andrew and one of my family members become a Simon Peter?

Andrew did what the Spirit moved him to do and God used his brother to stir the church for centuries. I am to put all personal ambition aside — including ambition for my family and myself — and simply do as the Lord asks. I will never be able to guess what will come from plain obedience.