Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle
Matthew 4:18-22 “in a snailshell”
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-22
The First-Called of the Twelve
Though Andrew is often overshadowed by his brother Peter, Eastern Christian tradition honors him as the First-Called. Indeed, Peter found his vocation by following his brother Andrew to Jesus. Andrew’s first “catch” as a fisher of men was Peter!
Three More Fishermen
A disciple of John the Baptist, Andrew heard his master proclaim as Jesus walked by, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (John 1:35-42). Andrew and another disciple of John the Baptist (traditionally, John, son of Zebedee) followed Jesus, who offered them hospitality for a day. Andrew was so impressed that he brought his brother Simon to Jesus with the declaration: “We have found the Messiah.” Jesus, in turn, found his chief apostle and said to Simon, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,” which is Aramaic for “Rock” (translated Peter from Greek Petros).
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, also dropped their nets to follow Jesus and become “fishers of men” with their friends Simon and Andrew.
Jesus’ Hospitality Returned
Jesus’ pivotal invitation to the disciples of John the Baptist to stay with him was later returned. While a guest at the home of Simon and Andrew, Jesus cured Simon’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31). James and John bore witness to this family miracle.
“Come and See”
From the First-Called to the last, the circle of God’s family grows with every disciple’s invitation to “Come and see” (John 1:46) for “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41).
O taste and see that the Lord is good!
Psalm 34:8(9)
Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him!
Simon, Andrew, and the sons of Zebedee
Followed Jesus at the Sea of Galilee.
From the First-Called to the last, the circle of God’s family grows with every disciple’s invitation to “Come and see” (John 1:46) for “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41).
Two brothers found the Christian Way
Andrew and Peter followed this path.
From catchers of fish to saving souls,
Jesus taught them his new math,
With two loaves and five fish,
The crowd was fed a tasty dish.
Jesus’ “new math” beats the “zero-sum game”: his basket of plentitude fills to overflowing!
How good it is for friends to share in ministry as they follow Christ.
Agape shines in koinonia.