Harmonious Service - Andrew

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”

John 6:8-9

When someone asked the great conductor Leonard Bernstein which instrument was most difficult to play, he replied, “The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm, that’s a problem. And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony.”

The apostle Andrew had plenty of practice at playing second fiddle. After all, he played that role with his brother Peter for his entire time with Jesus.

Only once does the New Testament mention Andrew’s name without connecting him with Peter (see John 12:22). Andrew is last mentioned in Acts 1:13, which lists the names of the eleven remaining apostles following Jesus’ return to heaven. After that, he disappears from view.

Other than being Peter’s brother, Andrew established his reputation by bringing people to Jesus. First, he brought Peter (see John 1:42), then a boy with some food (see John 6:8-9), and finally, some Greeks who wanted to meet the Master (see John 12:20-22).

Andrew understood the need for harmony! He recognized his role, and he understood and accepted that Jesus had called Peter to a special position of leadership among the apostles. You would have found no sibling rivalry there!

Though the Bible says nothing about Andrew’s ministry following Pentecost, tradition suggests that he continued to bring people to Jesus by preaching in Asia Minor and Scythia.

As Jesus’ servant, Andrew played second fiddle even within his own family. He set an example by willingly keeping the harmony so necessary for an effective church.

God probably hasn’t called you to have the same widespread impact as Peter. You can still play an important supporting role in his Kingdom as you bring people to him one by one. Whom do you know that you can bring? What stops you from bringing them?