Title: The Miracle Ember that Leads to Blessing
The Gospel of John (12) A miraculous spark that leads to blessings (John 1:35-42)
<Deep love for the soul>
People are interested in Peter, but the important person who contributed to Peter becoming Peter is Peter's brother Andrew. The name Andre means ‘manly’, and he lived up to that name. Andrew was different from Peter. Peter is a flaming petrol man, and Andrew is a hard-to-burn but steady briquette. Andrew met Jesus and became the first believer in history.
The pioneer path is lonely. But he chose the most appropriate way to deal with loneliness. It was just evangelism. He became the first model of family evangelism by meeting Jesus and finding and evangelizing his brother Peter (verse 41).
In particular, Andrew's evangelism teaches us how important one-person evangelism is. How many souls did Peter, whom he preached, save? A significant portion of the fruit of evangelism accomplished through Peter is attributed to Andrew. Peter who cries out to many people is precious, but Andrew, who has a specific concern for one soul, is just as precious as Peter. People like a lot of numbers and big things. But Andre, who has a specific interest towards one, is sometimes needed more. A life in which numbers do the best at least is a life of truth.
Andrew couldn't give a public speech like Peter, so he didn't show a good look to many people, but when he met a person, he looked deeply into the soul and heart of that person. How did the miracle of Obyeong-ear happen? I got up with the five barley loaves and the two fish that the little child had given me. It was Andrew who brought the little boy to the Lord at that time. Andre was an outstanding player who put the weak on the center stage. Being a worker is important, but it is also important to lead people to the Lord and raise them as workers.
< A miracle spark that leads to blessings >
Although Andrew was the first believer, he did not claim any vested interests. There are 12 records of him in the Bible, and most of them are introduced as Simon Peter's brother. If Andre had seen the record, it might have been unpleasant. He was also among the three disciples whom the Lord loved most (Peter, James, and John), but he did not take the situation offended. Andrew was more interested in the application of truth in his life than in exaltation, and he was interested in the exaltation of Jesus, but not in his exaltation.
He was a man who knew how to sacrifice for the truth. Legend has it that Andre later went to Russia to preach the gospel. That is why Russia still considers Andre a patron saint. He later preaches the gospel to the wife of Lord Patra. When the lord's wife believed in Jesus, Lord Patra crucified him. Then Andrew exclaimed. “I don’t want to be like the Lord even when I die. Please change your posture.” So he died by hanging on a cross tilted in the shape of an X.
You need three things to set things right. First, you need to be sure of what is right. Second, and more importantly, we need proof of what is right. The truth must be spread to others. Third, and most importantly, it requires sacrifice for what is right. Without sacrifice, there is no progress, no fruit, and the soul gradually becomes empty.
The essence of our Christian life is the sacrifice of the cross. There is no history in the proper life of faith without sacrifice. “It’s enough” is a word that deviates from the truth. Selfishness is a decisive obstacle to the presence of God. If you want a truly blessed life, start practicing giving now. When you sacrifice for the truth, you gain more than you sacrifice. Then the matter calms down. The sacrifice of the cross is a miraculous spark that leads to blessings. When you realize the truth and pay the price for the truth to become truth, the truth will bring you happiness.