“You Will Be Called Cephas”

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 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 1:35-42

After Andrew was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, he immediately found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. 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.

And so it is with us. Good 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; forgiven, holy, and beloved; chosen and faithful. Remember how God sees you and seek to let that define who you are.

No one can steal your identity in Christ.

Our Daily Bread – October 13, 2017