The Greatest Act of Kindness We Can Give

JOHN 1:42

He brought him to Jesus.

Andrew brought his brother Peter to Jesus. What a mercy this was! Introducing someone to Jesus is the single greatest act of kindness you can bestow upon them. It may also be the greatest act of service you can do for the church. If you’ve read the book of Acts, you know that Peter was the one who stood up and preached on the day of Pentecost, where three thousand people received the word and responded with faith in Christ, and that event marked the beginning of the Christian church (Acts 2).

The impact of Peter’s life on Christendom cannot be overstated, and Andrew is responsible for making that introduction. What a tender mercy to both men and the church. Some have suggested that this introduction from Andrew was perhaps the greatest act of service to the church ever done. We have no idea what Jesus will do in someone’s life or through someone’s life when we introduce them to Jesus.

I love the recollection of Charles Spurgeon’s testimony. Spurgeon was a renowned nineteenth-century Baptist preacher God used in powerful ways (and still uses mightily through his writings). He is responsible for winning countless souls to Christ. Spurgeon recalls that God sent a snowstorm one Sunday morning while he was walking to church, and since he could go no farther, he turned into a Primitive Methodist Chapel with about twelve people in attendance. The pastor could not make it as he was snowed in, and a layman took his place to minister the Word from Isaiah 45:22: “Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth.”

God used a simple, uneducated man to ignite a flame of faith in Charles Spurgeon, who later became one of the greatest preachers to share the gospel of grace.

We don’t have to have all the answers. Like Andrew, we follow Jesus, walk with Jesus, and then, in love, invite others to come and see for themselves, and then we watch what only Jesus can do!

Reflect

Do you believe introducing someone to Jesus is the most important kindness you can bestow upon them? Why? Who have you introduced to Jesus, and who would you like to introduce to Him? (Take some time to pray for that individual now.)

Let’s Pray

Father, I thank You now for the person who brought me to Jesus. You knew exactly what I needed, and You were so kind to me to use an imperfect individual to grasp my hand and take me to the sinless Savior who died for my sins. Holy Spirit, please use me to be that person for someone else. I want to share the love, grace, and mercy of Christ. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.