A Peter Profile: 02 Simon Who?

The fisherman, the disciple, the one who denied three times, the apostle who preached at Pentecost, the man who left fatherly letters for followers to continue in the faith.

As mentioned in the first post in this series, the life of who we refer to as Peter is a fascinating one to explore. Not to consider for its own sake, but to get a glimpse of Jesus and how He interacts with humanity. What we can learn from Peter about aspects of the human condition and what we can learn from Peter about encounters with Jesus.

Peter’s close friend John could give us a clue about this man. They were fishermen together in the same locality and they went on to be some of the closest friends to Jesus during His years of ministry. When John was sharing his own gospel account, he gave a rather fascinating recollection of what would have been one of Peter’s first encounters with Jesus.

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 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). (John 1: 40-42)

Put yourself in Simon’s position. Your brother excitedly tells you that the Messiah is here. First of all, take that in. Contemplate the ramifications of that. You might think I need to give some background about the hopes and expectations Jews had about the Messiah. You might think that. But even today the concept of a Messiah figure is prevalent in society. Looking for someone to rescue the people out of a woeful plight and establish a glorious new lease of life under tremendous leadership that ushers in prosperity, peace and security.

So take that in. You’re Simon – your brother tells you this. You’re up for seeing who this guy is. And your first encounter with this guy sees him take a good look at you and then give you a new name. A name bu which you’ll be known for centuries after your death. A name that will cause repercussions in faith, life and understanding of what is truly of lasting value and importance. This guy takes one look at you and changes your name.

The change of name in itself is radical. Just as Simon’s name meant a reed and something that is easily swayed, now Peter’s name is referring to something of more substance and durability.

Not that Peter will catch up with this reality for a few years. You can see him swell at the name change initially, but not understand the ramifications of the character transformation that goes with it for a while.

You can have a name attached to you and be so used to it that even when you’re offered a new one, you’re so used to the old that you don’t quite compute it at the time. Peter may well have joined his brother in following Jesus, but truly following the name he was given would take a while. It would take the process of intentional engagement with Jesus for the truth that was spoken in Him to be lived out.

What’s reassuring about this, is that the offer to follow Jesus is the offer to experience new life in Him. It’s to live His life. Yet that is not something we’re used to. We’re used to an old identity with its habits, ways and expectations. Yet as we learn to walk with the real Messiah and consider carefully what He says about us, we can work out what has been poured into us.

As we learn to grow into the new from the old, perhaps there’ll come a time where we can look back and consider, Simon who?

(Photo by Oliver Paaske on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden