Be a Bringer
Scripture Reading — John 1:35-45
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him ... John 1:41
If Simon Peter wore bold stripes, Andrew, his brother, wore solid colors. There was nothing flashy about Andrew. While his brother was enthusiastic, Andrew was reserved. He may not have been a powerful preacher like Peter, but he was bonafide bringer.
After choosing to follow Jesus, "the first thing Andrew did was to find his brother" and say, "Simon, you have to meet this man who has changed my life." Later, at the feeding of the 5,000, it was Andrew who brought the boy with a little lunch to Jesus. And in John 12 we read that Andrew brought some foreigners, some seekers, to meet the Master. In his own quiet, unassuming way Andrew became an impact player for Christ.
Most of us will not ascend platforms to sing or share God's truth in front of thousands of people. But we can all be bringers. We can all make an invitation to a seeker to come with us to a place where they can meet Jesus.
Surveys show that 80-90 percent of all born-again believers come to faith as a result of a relationship they had with another believer. Friends tell friends about the Savior. Friends invite friends to church, Christian concerts, and outreach events where the gospel is presented in interesting and understandable ways.
Whom can you bring to meet Jesus and his family? Whom are you praying for in this way?
Lord, show us how to become effective bringers. Help us to lead people into a living relationship with you, as Andrew and so many others like him have done. In your name, Amen.
About the author — Dan Jongsma
Daniel Jongsma serves as an interim pastor in Fulton, Illinois. He has pastored congregations in Elmhurst and Fulton, Illinois; in Dearborn, Michigan; and in Nashville, Tennessee. Dan also served as a church planter in the Chicago area. He and his wife, Gloria, have three daughters and four grandchildren.
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