APRIL 20,2012
Called By A New Name
Read: John 1:35-42
When Jesus looked at him, He said, “. . . you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone). —John 1:42
In the article “Leading by Naming,” Mark Labberton wrote
about the power of a name. He said: “I can still feel the
impact of a musical friend who one day called me ‘musical.
’ No one had ever called me that. I didn’t really play an
instrument. I was no soloist. Yet . . . I instantly felt known
and loved. . . . [He] noticed, validated, and appreciated
something deeply true about me.”
Perhaps this is what Simon felt when Jesus renamed him.
After Andrew was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah,
he immediately found his brother Simon and brought him
to Jesus (John 1:41-42). Jesus peered into his soul and
validated and appreciated something deeply true about
Simon. Yes, Jesus saw the failure and impetuous nature
that would get him into trouble. But more than that He
saw the potential of Simon to become a leader in the
church. Jesus named him Cephas—Aramaic for Peter
—a rock (John 1:42; see Matt. 16:18).
And so it is with us. God sees our pride, anger, and lack
of love for others, but He also knows who we are in Christ.
He calls us justified and reconciled (Rom. 5:9-10); forgiven,
holy, and beloved (Col. 2:13; 3:12); chosen and faithful
(Rev. 17:14). Remember how God sees you and seek to
let that define who you are.
I am so glad for the day that I came
Seeking relief for my soul;
Jesus the Savior gave me my new name;
Now by His grace I’m made whole. —Hess
No one can steal your identity in Christ.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2012
