"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church." (Matt. 16:18)
There is a play on words in the original language here. The name Peter means "small rock", or pebble. It is a greater "rock" that Jesus speaks of building His church on. It is the recognition that He is the Christ. It is the element of faith that discovers, finally, the truth about Jesus. You recall, in John 1, Jesus had said, "You are Simon, you will be Peter."
That is how Jesus is in our lives. He sees us not so much for who we are, but for who He can make us. And that transformation becomes when we realize who He is and allow Him to be Lord in us. It is not instantaneous, but rather a journey. One of the incredible things is to trace Peter through the New Testament and watch His journey as God changes him. Much like the signs on the side of the road that say, "Under Construction". When we surrender to Christ, for the rest of our journey in this world, we are under construction.
Simon came to represent who he was in the old nature. Peter represents who He is becoming in Christ. And those two natures, the old and new surface from time to time in our observations of this man. He is so much like us. We can take great joy in the fact that if God could use a broken and flawed fisherman like Peter, He can also use us.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
What's Your Name?
"'So you are Simon, the Son of John? You shall be called Cephas.'(which means Peter." (John 1:42)
Andrew was there when John the Baptist declared of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God." Andrew wanted to know more and followed Jesus. Once he was convinced that this was the Messiah, he went and found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. In fact, everytime we encounter Andrew in the NT, he is bringing someone to Jesus. When Simon met Jesus for the first time, the Lord declared his future potential.
Who were you as you first met Jesus? All of us are sinners separated from God. But if someone used one word to describe you before you followed Jesus, what would they name you? The amazing thing is that in a moment Jesus unlocked all the potential that God had created in this man Simon. He said, "You will be." I believe that is the Lord's way with every person He encounters. He sees us not so much for what we are, but for what we can become under His transforming power.
As you consider your life, how will you finish the course? If someone were to write a name on your tombstone if life ended today, what would they name you? What would you like for everyone to remember about you? Who has God designed you ultimately to be? Surrender to the potential in God's transforming power in your life today.
Andrew was there when John the Baptist declared of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God." Andrew wanted to know more and followed Jesus. Once he was convinced that this was the Messiah, he went and found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. In fact, everytime we encounter Andrew in the NT, he is bringing someone to Jesus. When Simon met Jesus for the first time, the Lord declared his future potential.
Who were you as you first met Jesus? All of us are sinners separated from God. But if someone used one word to describe you before you followed Jesus, what would they name you? The amazing thing is that in a moment Jesus unlocked all the potential that God had created in this man Simon. He said, "You will be." I believe that is the Lord's way with every person He encounters. He sees us not so much for what we are, but for what we can become under His transforming power.
As you consider your life, how will you finish the course? If someone were to write a name on your tombstone if life ended today, what would they name you? What would you like for everyone to remember about you? Who has God designed you ultimately to be? Surrender to the potential in God's transforming power in your life today.
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