Scripture: John 1:42 (ESV) – “He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas’ (which means Peter).”
In John 1:42, Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus, and in their very first encounter, Jesus does something remarkable. He looks at Simon and gives him a new name: “You shall be called Cephas” (translated as Peter, meaning “rock”). This simple act carries profound significance, symbolizing not only a change in Simon’s identity but also in his purpose.
Jesus sees Simon for who he is, but more importantly, for who he will become. Simon, an ordinary fisherman, will be transformed by Christ into Peter, the “rock” on which the early church will be built (Matthew 16:18). This is not merely a prediction—it is a declaration of what Jesus will accomplish in Simon’s life. Before Simon has proven himself, Jesus speaks into his potential, demonstrating His authority to shape lives and His power to bring about transformation.
This moment is a reminder that when we come to Jesus, He not only knows us fully but also calls us into a new identity and purpose. Like Simon, we are not defined by our past or even our present. Jesus sees who we can become through His grace and power. This is both comforting and challenging—comforting because our flaws and failures don’t disqualify us, and challenging because following Jesus means surrendering to His transformative work in our lives.
Andrew’s role in this encounter is also significant. He brings Simon to Jesus, showing us the importance of inviting others to meet Christ. We may not know how God will use them, but our faithfulness in pointing others to Jesus can have eternal impact.
Reflection Questions:
- How does it encourage you to know that Jesus sees not only who you are but who you can become through His grace?
- Are there areas in your life where you need to surrender to Jesus’ transformative work?
- Who in your life can you bring to Jesus, trusting Him to shape their future in ways beyond what you can imagine?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for knowing us fully and calling us into a new identity and purpose. Like Simon, we come to You as we are, trusting You to transform us into who You’ve created us to be. Help us to surrender to Your work in our lives, allowing You to shape our character and use us for Your glory. Teach us to faithfully bring others to You, trusting in Your power to change lives. May we walk boldly in the new identity You give us, always pointing others to You. In Your name, Amen.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 