WJS3 – Jesus Saw Peter

WJS3 – Jesus Saw Peter

Reading: John 1:35-51 (Click link for scripture) 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). 42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”). (John 1:40-42 NLT) Andrew was already a disciple! He was 3 days’ journey from home, at a place in Judea on the Jordan river where John the Baptist was preaching and baptizing. Others from Andrew’s hometown in Galilee were present as well: Simon, Philip, Nathanael, and possibly James and John. They had heard of John’s ministry and had come to hear him for themselves. Just at the time they were visiting, John declared that Jesus (also from Galilee) was the Messiah! Andrew followed Jesus home that day and he could hardly wait for morning to take his brother Simon to meet him. When Jesus saw Simon, he “looked intently at him.” Jesus was seeing Simon as he was, but also looking ahead through the years and seeing him as he could and would become; no longer as Simon (wishy-washy and unstable) but as Cephas, Peter the Rock. From that day forward, Jesus called him Rocky Johnson! If you know the Gospel stories, you know that the pathway from Simon to Peter was a “rocky” road! There were ups and downs, sometimes Jesus proclaiming, “God has revealed this to you! On this rock I will build my church” and sometimes rebuking Peter with, “Get behind me Satan! You’re seeing things from a human point of view.” (Matthew 16:13-23) Isn’t that the case with all of us? Jesus saw something in us that we didn’t see in ourselves. Jesus saw not only what we were, but what we could become as his followers. Jesus encourages us when we are seeing with the eyes of our hearts and jerks the slack out of us when we’re back to seeing things only from a human point of view. Jesus never gives up on us, and he never lets up on us! And I’m so thankful for that! How else could I ever see what my heart wants to see and be what my heart wants to be? It’s often a bumpy ride, but it’s where I want to be! How about you? Prayer: Father, Thanks for seeing what we can be, what we will be, and not just what we used to be! Like with Peter, it’s so often ups and downs, gains and losses. But I will not give up, I will not give in, and I will not give out! By your Grace! Amen!