A New Name

Names often mean something - at least to the person who chooses the name. When Simon's parents named their son, his name meant "He has heard", which may be a reference to God answering prayer.

When Simon was introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew, Simon was in for a surprise: he got a new name:

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).

When Simon is brought to Jesus, John notes that "Jesus looked at him." This appears to be more than a casual look up; he seemed to be looking into Simon's life in some way, and speaking about his future.

In first-century Palestine, several languages were spoken. Aramaic was the household language of Jewish families. Greek was the international language of trade, and Latin was the official language of the state -  the Roman Empire. This multi-lingual background appears in John's gospel from time to time, including in this story. John wrote his gospel in ancient Greek. But the words of Jesus that he records were probably spoken in Aramaic, and from time-to-time John inserts the odd bit of language explanation.

Simon's new name in Aramaic was to be Kepha. In Greek, this name was Cephas. Both names have the same meaning. They mean "rock". Jesus was able to look into the heart of Simon and speak about his future. Simon was going to become a rock. Peter's new nickname would be Rocky.

People are often given labels - names or words that are intended to define them: words like "loser", "addict", "disabled" and many others. When Jesus encounters us, he is able to took at us and see us as we really are. He also sees what we can become as we follow him. This change can be so deep that it is like getting a new name - a new identity.

The new testament says this about the great change that occurs when people follow Jesus Christ:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

A new life; a new name; a new creation. How do you feel about that? How would that great change affect you? What does Jesus Christ see in you now when he looks at you? What does he see you could become in the future if you were to follow him?

You can read the passage we have looked at today here. 

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