As we continue our study of the Gospel of John, we pick up at verse 42, of Chapter One. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle John wrote:
“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.)
John 1:42
Andrew had been a disciple of John the Baptist, but when John pointed out Jesus as ‘The Lamb of God’, Andrew immediately followed Christ. After he had spent most of the day with Jesus, the Word says, “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is the Christ.) (John 1:41). And he brought him to Jesus.
When Jesus told Simon he would be called Cephas, (which when translated in Aramaic, or in Greek means Rock), He did not see Simon as he was, but rather who he would become. Peter became one of the Lord’s most loyal and faithful disciples. He was one of the three who saw the transfiguration of Jesus, and saw Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus, and heard the voice of the Father saying “This is my Son whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:1-5) At the last Supper, Peter vowed he was ready to die for Jesus. Yet when Jesus was taken prisoner, and the time came for Peter to acknowledge that he was with Jesus, he denied Him – three times.
But still, Jesus knew who Simon would become. The fact that Jesus took Simon on a walk to talk to him one on one after His resurrection, and was calling him Simon instead of Peter as they talked (John 21: 15 – 19) the Lord was telling Peter He expected him, and had faith in him, to feed the children of God with the Word, and to shepherd them. He said to him, “Follow Me.” Jesus knew Peter would come back strong and become one of the most dynamic Leaders to establish the Church here on earth the world would ever see. He became became that Rock. His faith never wavered again.
May we allow the Holy Spirit to bring us to Jesus. The Lord will fill us with His grace and unconditional love and power no matter what we may have done in the past to deny Him. He will walk with us, and help us to see who we shall become when we totally give ourselves to Him, and follow Him.
May you be blessed in all things, and in all ways, God’s Beloveds. You are greatly loved.
Poppa B.