4:18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
– Matthew 4:18-20
10:14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
– Romans 10:14-15
Names are important. In fact, for many of us, our names were given to us for some particular reason — perhaps to honor a family member, or exemplify a biblical character. Throughout much of history, converts to Christianity were actually given a “Christian name” at their Baptism, usually as a sign of their new identity in Christ.
I have always been honored to have been named after the apostle Andrew, but it was only recently that I began to understand the significance of sharing in his legacy. Andrew is only mentioned a handful of times in the New Testament; he’s a character mostly behind the scenes. Here in Matthew, we learn that Andrew is one of the first disciples called by Jesus to follow him. And in the first chapter of John’s Gospel, we learn a little more detail: Andrew has an incredible early moment of faith and action. After spending a day with Jesus in his home, Andrew not only recognizes him as the Messiah, but instantly ventures off to share this news with his brother, Simon, who then receives a new name and identity when discovering the Christ.
“He (Andrew) brought him to Jesus” (John 1:42). It’s a short and simple story, and yet in this moment, Andrew — who responded to the invitation to come and see — then did his own small part to share Christ with his brother and throughout his town. In this Advent season, we have a great opportunity to reflect on the coming of Christ to this world as we prepare for Christmas. As much as we need this season of preparation, there are others who need to be brought to Jesus as well. The Church of Jesus Christ needs a whole lot more Andrews, people who believe in Christ so much that they are willing to talk about Christ to their closest relatives, friends and those they encounter. May we remember the call, and have courage to share the grand story of Jesus with others during Advent, Christmas and Epiphany! After all, “how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Prayer: Almighty God, You gave Your apostle Andrew the grace to obey the call of Your Son and to bring his brother to Jesus. Give us also, who are called by Your Holy Word, grace to follow Jesus without delay and to bring into His presence those who are near to us, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Advent Action: Ask the Holy Spirit to place people in your path during this Advent season with whom you can share the hope of Christ’s redemption and reign.
Devotion written by the Rev. Andrew Ames Fuller
Watch a video recording of the devotional daily: facebook.com/thenalc
Morning Psalms
Evening Psalms
This daily prayer and Bible reading guide, Devoted to Prayer (based on Acts 2:42), was conceived and prepared by the Rev. Andrew S. Ames Fuller, director of communications for the North American Lutheran Church (NALC). After a challenging year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been provided with a unique opportunity to revitalize the ancient practice of daily prayer and Scripture reading in our homes. While the Reading the Word of God three-year lectionary provided a much-needed and refreshing calendar for our congregations to engage in Scripture reading, this calendar includes a missing component of daily devotion: prayer. This guide is to provide the average layperson and pastor with the simple tools for sorting through the busyness of their lives and reclaiming an act of daily discipleship with their Lord. The daily readings follow the Lutheran Book of Worship two-year daily lectionary, which reflect the church calendar closely. The commemorations are adapted from Philip H. Pfatteicher’s New Book of Festivals and Commemorations, a proposed common calendar of the saints that builds from the Lutheran Book of Worship, but includes saints from many of those churches in ecumenical conversation with the NALC. The introductory portion is adapted from Christ Church (Plano)’s Pray Daily. Our hope is that this calendar and guide will provide new life for congregations learning and re-learning to pray in the midst of a difficult and changing world.