Today, naturally, we start John with chapter 1. At the start (verses 1-5, 16-18) is just so lyrical and pretty. I really think you should read it! Anyway, John 1 talks about John and Baptist baptizing Jesus, and who Jesus was and why Jesus was here. John 1 also goes on to chronicle Jesus recruiting his first disciples.
Scripture:
"Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter)." ~John 1:42
Observation:
I don't know about your Bible, but in my Bible there's a footnote on John 1:42 which tells me that Cephas (Aramaic) and Peter (Greek) both mean rock. Just think, Jesus has just recruited his latest stumbling, bumbling disciple...and he renames him "rock". Peter, "Rock", would certainly become a rock for Christ, staying true to his God whether in preaching, healing, or crucifixion.
Application:
Just think, if every time you signed your name or paid a bill you wrote a word meaning "Rock for Christ" on it. Always being reminded of your duty to stay firm to God. What would you think of that? That's what Peter had.
Now, I have my suspicions that Peter didn't always think that he was too good of rock for Christ. Yeah, sure, he was a rock...and stayed put and blabbed a lot! He was totally in love with Jesus, but he still had many faults--just like us. It must have cut Peter to the core when Jesus looked at him, right after Peter denied Jesus three times. I've always read this story, and thought it was sad, but until I read about "Peter" meaning "Rock", I didn't realize really what it meant. Peter--the "Rock for Christ"--had denied his Lord. Not just not talking about him, keeping his mouth shut, but denying that he knew Jesus.
But the good news for Peter, and us, is that Jesus forgave Peter. Jesus still loved Peter, and fully reinstated him in his position as disciple and apostle. Later, Peter became a strong pillar, a firm rock for God, all the way to his death.
Take a moment now to think what you would feel, if your name was Peter. Every time you wrote it, you would be reminded of your commitment to God. Sometimes, you'd feel really bad when you messed up. We all do. But the important thing is that Jesus forgave Peter, he still loved Peter and wanted Peter to help him in his work. Jesus still loves us, too, when we mess up. When we come to him for forgiveness, he is more than ready to do it. Even if we mess up, we can still become firm "rocks" for God.
Prayer:
Dear God, please strengthen me to be a firm rock for you, to believe in you and share you no matter what. I know I'll mess up sometimes, but I also know that you will forgive me and keep on helping me be firm for you. Thank you for all that you do for me! Amen.
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