40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."
44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
Ever had some really good news that you were busting at the seams to share? The arrival of a new baby, the marriage of a child, a job promotion, an unexpected call or visit by someone we love – you name the good news – whatever it may be – and chances are you will want to share it. Indeed, in our sharing, our joys are multiplied and our sorrows divided. Perhaps this is what Paul was referring to when he reminds us of our appropriate response to those sharing news with us in Romans 12:
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15 (NIV)
This is exactly what we find in our verses for today. Both Andrew and Philip having found Jesus had to make it known. First we discover Andrew making a beeline for his brother Simon (a/k/a/ Peter). Andrew had spent the day with Jesus and was full of Him and it showed. He knew there was enough of Christ to fill all and in haste goes straight to his brother.
“He is your friend who pushes you nearer to God.” Abraham Kuyper
“One man with beliefs is equal to a thousand with only interests.” John Stuart Mill
Andrew is convinced of the truth of Jesus – those who are convinced cannot keep but sharing especially to those nearest and dearest to them. Just as Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians:
14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Cor 5:14-15 (NIV)
Realizing the gospel was God’s panacea for all of mankind’s spiritual needs, Paul unabashedly proclaims in Romans:
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." Romans 1:14-17 (NIV)
“True grace hates monopolies, and does not love to eat its morsels alone.” Matthew Henry
“There is no joy in the world like the joy of bringing one soul to Christ.” William Barclay
A heart filled with Jesus will spill out to others both in our words and in our deeds. So excited over his discovery of the Messiah, Andrew brings Simon to Jesus who quickly gives him a name change from Simon to Peter meaning the rock. Names were thought of much differently in those days. Basically, the name was used to indicate the character of the person described by the name or identification with the person bearing the name. Jesus gives him the name Peter as an indication of his future involvement with the ministry of the gospel.
Next, we discover Philip being found by the Messiah and subsequently going forth with the good news to Nathanael unable to keep quiet over this wonderful Truth he had now discovered – the One on whom we have so long been waiting and wishing - He has come, He has come, we have found Him! What an experience of pure joy!
“The great difficulty is to get modern audiences to realize that you are preaching Christianity solely and simply because you happen to think it true; they always suppose you are preaching it because you like it or think it good for society or something of that sort...” C. S. Lewis
“He who does not live in some degree for others, hardly lives for himself.” Montaigne
25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Prov 11:25 (NIV)