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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
‘Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother.’
Mat_4:18
I. His courage.—It is the first step which costs, and the first step was taken by St. Andrew. He was the leader of the forlorn hope of Christendom, the first to storm the citadel of the kingdom of heaven, taking it as alone it can be taken—taking it by force. Be not deceived. Only the violent enter therein, only the brave, resolute soldiers who make straight for truth and righteousness and love, come what may, who are ready to lose their lives that they may save them. St. Andrew was the leader, the foremost man in the foremost rank of the mighty army of God. What was it which inspired such courage? (1) The sense of the sinfulness of sin. (2) The sense of the power of redeeming love.
II. His sympathy.—He had that which mediates; the attraction of character which draws others together. After the first meeting with Christ, every subsequent notice of St. Andrew specially brings out this feature in his character. It is not that he does any great thing himself, but that he is the means of getting great things done for or by others.
III. His humility.—He who brought others forward was content himself to retire. So it is truly said that the world knows nothing of its greatest benefactors. They are lost in their work, or are lost in others. Unknown, these shall be well known. Is it not ordered so in the Kingdom of Heaven? ‘The first shall be last, and the last first.’ This effacement of life is the crown of the Christian spirit.
—
Bishop Lightfoot.
ST. ANDREW’S EXAMPLE
I. St. Andrew’s life.—St. Andrew was a native of Bethsaida of Galilee, and was a son of Jonas, and a brother of Simon Peter. He was the first of all the Apostolic band to begin the work of evangelisation. ‘He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.’ But his call to the work of an Apostle did not take place for a year after his first introduction to Christ. During that time he occupied himself in his ordinary pursuit of fishing. In the narrative of the Gospel, St. Andrew is spoken of in connection with the call of the first disciples (St. Mat_4:19-22). Then on the occasion when Jesus sat upon the Mount of Olives, over against the Temple, and predicted the fall of the Holy City (St. Mar_13:3-4). He is also said to have been present at the feeding of the five thousand, for he was the disciple who felt so anxious for the comfort of the famishing multitude (St. Joh_6:8-9); and in the Holy Week, when certain Greeks ‘would see Jesus,’ Andrew was the first to tell Jesus of their desire (St. Joh_12:21-22). These are most, if not all, of the instances in which St. Andrew is noted in the Gospel.
II. St. Andrew’s death.—Ecclesiastical history states concerning him that when the division of the world was made among the Apostles, St. Andrew undertook Scythia and the adjacent countries as his sphere of labour. Like St. Paul, he was ‘in labours more abundant.’ Ægeas, the proconsul of Achaia, because of St. Andrew’s wonderful success in his Master’s work, condemned him to be scourged and afterwards crucified. And, in order that his death might be as painful and protracted as possible, he had this noble martyr fastened with cords—not nailed, as was usual—to the cross, which was of the peculiar kind called decussate, and known afterwards by the name of St. Andrew.
III. The lesson of his life.—From the conduct of Andrew we may learn that it is the nature of true religion to desire that others may possess it. It does not lead us to monopolise it, nor to hide its light under a bushel; but it seeks that others also may be brought to Jesus. It does not wait for them to come to Him, but it goes for them; it seeks them out, and leads them directly to Him.
Illustration
‘When the executioners were conducting St. Andrew to this cross, and he was within sight of it, it is said that he apostrophised it thus: “Hail, precious cross! thou hast been consecrated by the Body of my Lord, and adorned with His limbs as with rich jewels. I come to thee exulting and glad; receive me with joy into thine arms. O good cross! since thou hast received beauty from my Lord’s limbs, I have ardently loved thee. Long have I desired and sought thee; now thou art found by me, and art made ready for my longing soul. Take me from among men, and present me to my Master, that He Who redeemed me on thee may receive me by thee.” In this brave and sublime manner St. Andrew died.’