The Disciples: Andrew & Peter (Pt 2)

Matthew 16:24 (NLT)         

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Wrapping up the stories of Andrew and Peter, these two brothers had not just made a quick decision to leave their fishing business and follow Jesus. They had both already spent time with Him, listening to His teachings and even witnessing some of his early miracles. They were excited to receive the call.

After Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, and being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, they began going into all the world with the message of the gospel.

Andrew took the message to the land of the man-eaters, which is modern day Soviet Union, preaching in Asia Minor, modern day Turkey and in Greece where he was martyred by crucifixion.

We know that according to Matthew 8:14, Peter was married. We also know that both he and his wife were arrested in Rome. According to Lockyer’s All the Women of the Bible, his wife was martyred first, and he comforted her with the words “Remember the Lord”. When they came for Peter, they led him to be crucified, but he requested to be crucified upside down, for he felt unworthy to die in the same way as Jesus.

We are fortunate here in America, as we have the freedom to live our lives as disciples and not worry about persecution. But we need to wake up and realize that we have brothers and sisters around the world that are still faced with the threat of death unless they deny Jesus. Would you be able to say, “I have decided to follow Jesus…no turning back?”

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