OBSCURE BUT SIGNIFICANT

John 1:35-42

We often have the mistaken idea that only the visible workers in the work of the Lord are worthy of consideration. We must not overlook the contribution of the steadfast supporters who are working for the Lord in obscure and less visible areas of God’s kingdom. Some of the greatest workers in the kingdom are too often little known and unnoticed. Yet the work they perform is much like the seasoning in good food. Andrew, a disciple of Jesus, was such a person.

ANDREW WAS ONE OF JESUS’ FIRST DISCIPLES

The day after John the Baptist made his first public announcement of Jesus, his disciples began to seek Jesus out. The first two disciples to follow Jesus were Andrew and his friend John, the brother of James. When they found Jesus, they asked Him, “Where dwellest thou?”. They probably thought that it would be good to get to know more about Him.

Jesus invited these two disciples of John to spend the evening with Him, exceeding their expectations. So, from about four o’clock in the afternoon, they spent the evening getting to know Jesus. They became convinced that John’s announcement that Jesus was the Christ was true. They were compelled to tell their brothers about their discovery of the Christ and to lead them to Him.

ANDREW INTRODUCED OTHERS TO JESÚS

Andrew is barely noticed by Christian historians and only mentioned six times by name in the N. T. Yet we are indebted to this little-known disciple for bringing to Jesus his later well-known brother, Peter. What a readymade missionary field our families provide! Andrew did not rush off to another field of labor. His first testimony was given to those at home.

On one occasion when a large crowd had followed Him, Jesus tested the faith of Philip when He asked him, “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” (Jn. 6:5). Philip, the practical person that he was, sized up the situation and with no faith for a solution replied, “Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them that every one of them may take a little.” The disciples suggested that Jesus send the multitude away because it was late in the day. Jesus said, “Give ye them to eat” (Mr. 6:3). The disciples failed the same test of faith that Philip had failed. They asked, “Shall we go and buy...and give them to eat?” (Mr. 6:37).

Andrew brought a boy and his lunch of five small barley loaves and two small fish to Jesus. He said, “But what are they among so many?” (Jn. 6:9). Andrew’s skeptical question was touched with just a hint of faith. Why would Andrew have bothered to bring the little lunch to Jesus if he did not think that Jesus would do something with it? Jesus acted upon Andrew’s suggestion at once.

It is amazing to see what Jesus can do with our limited resources and little faith. He starts with what we have and blesses it so that it may become sufficient for what we need. We should follow the example of Andrew and bring to Jesus what little we have for Him to multiply it.

One day a group of Greeks came to Philip and asked him to arrange for them to meet with Jesus. Philip consulted Andrew and both of them brought word to Jesus.

God was about to curse Israel for rejecting its Messiah. Jesus made room for the Gentiles in the outer court to the dismay of the merchants, but soon room would be made for Gentiles in the church at large by the death of Christ on Calvary. When Andrew and Philip brought the request to Jesus for an interview with the Greeks, they opened the door for Him to teach on the true purpose of His death (Jn. 12:23-36).

ANDREW WAS OBSCURE BUT NOT INSIGNIFICANT

Anyone that is obscure could be defined as not well known or not famous. Andrew, by comparison to his brother, Peter, was not well-known or famous. Yet his life was significant and full of meaning and importance.

Jesus had an inner circle within His group of apostles. Peter, James, and John were with Him when Jairus’ daughter was raised, at the transfiguration, and during Jesus’ agonizing prayer in Gathsemane. These three men shared a special place of closeness with Jesus during several key events while Andrew and the others were outside of the inner circle.

Andrew’s older brother Peter, whom he had brought to Christ went on to be well known in the church. His experience was similar to that of a teacher whose student rises to greater acclaim than the one who taught him. Or, it was like a younger brother whose only public identity is his relationship with an older brother. Andrew was quietly unobserved as Peter boldly built a reputation of great acknowledgments of faith.

Andrew received no acclaim. There is no biblical record of any sermon that he preached or sacred writing written. Jesus did not recognize him for meritorious service or commend him for his great character. But that is not to say that he lacked greatness or was unworthy of such commendation. Rather, he seemed to be great in a quiet unassuming way. Indeed, the absence of a clamor for attention or personal credit are marks of his greatness and still are traits greatly to be desired!

Miriam, Moses's sister was such a person. She is mentioned very briefly in the bible but God used her to be the instrument that He used to make sure Moses's mother was chosen to take care of Moses.

Andrew exemplified the concept Jesus taught that “the first shall be last.” Although Andrew was the first disciple he was not in the foreground of leadership. Andrew was content to remain obscure. He did not make any effort to push ahead of the other apostles for attention. James and John pressed Jesus for positions of prominence in the coming kingdom, but this was not so for Andrew.

Apparently, there was no envy in the heart of Andrew toward the popular apostolic spokesman and leader, his brother. He displayed the pure essence of true love that “envieth not”. No evil jealousy corrupted Andrew’s heart.

Small people drop names and snip at the heels of those who are climbing past them. Few indeed are the individuals who can love, lead, and then linger on the sidelines to cheer while others seem to pass them by.

THERE IS A GREAT NEED OF SUPPORT PEOPLE IN THE WORK OF GOD

“For the body (the church) is not one member, but many” (I Cor. 12:14).  When we think of the apostle Paul’s comparison of the human body and the body of Christ, the church, we are reminded of how important little things are. There is a need for more than just the prominent. Paul asked the question: “If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing?” The body would be out of balance if the head were only one large eye, or ears, or nose.

Each one of us provides for the church a needed function that we have been called to do. Somebody must provide behind-the-scenes support to make possible each activity in the church. We should be content to do our part in support of all who are depending upon us. Ultimately, Christ is counting on us to do all that He has called and ordained for us to do.

The value of small things in life can never be understated. There are many small and seemingly insignificant things in life upon which we depend completely. We know we can count on Jesus always to be the same, but can He depend on us? Will we be in the place where He has planted us? Every leader must have a dedicated staff of people upon whom he can depend. It has been said that the greatest ability in life is availability.

Much harm can come from individuals who, after serving successfully in a secondary capacity, grow restless and decide to go elsewhere where they can be a prominent leader. Such an impulsive move can cause confusion and disaster if the person has not been called to that place of leadership. It is much better that a person be content to labor faithfully in whatever capacity God has placed him until such a time as God would choose to move him into another area of service.

Following in the footsteps of Andrew is challenging. The unassuming character found in Andrew placed him quietly in the background lifting up others. When he came to prominence, it was always on behalf of someone else. He brought his brother, Peter, to Jesus. He brought a lad and his lunch to Jesus. He brought the Greeks’ request to Jesus.

The kingdom of God today is in need of dedicated people who, like Andrew, are loyal, faithful, and supportive.