The Gospel of John: John 1.35-42

Read and meditate on John 1.42.
Coming to Jesus makes everything new. This will be a primary theme of John’s gospel. By the Word of Jesus Christ, old things pass away, and all things begin to be new. Jesus’ words to Peter provide another thread for the unfolding story John relates. 
 
                                                    ⁴²And then he took
him to where Jesus was, Who, when He looked
at him, declared, “Your name is Simon, son 
of Jonah; you shall Cephas be” (a stone,
that is).

- John 1.42

Reflect
1.  Another verb to add to our chain: brought. What do you suppose was involved in Andrew’s bringing Peter to Jesus? Complete the following brief prayer: Lord, when I was brought to You…

2.  What can we conclude about Jesus, when we see that He not only knew Peter’s name, but also his future? Do you suppose the same is true for you – that Jesus knows you and your future? How should this affect your relationship with Him? Lord, help me to rest in the knowledge that…

3.  What should we make of the fact that John mentions Jesus “looked” at Peter? The verb doesn’t imply a lengthy gazing, as if Jesus were studying him – more like a glance, or a quick look. Jesus seems to have “sized him up” without much difficulty. Was this look designed more to understand Peter or to get his attention? Explain. How does Jesus get your attention? Lord, help me know when You’re looking to me for…

4.  By this change of his name, Jesus signals to Peter that coming to Him means change. Whatever Peter had been to that moment, he was now to be in the process of becoming “a stone.” When sharing the Gospel with people, what changes should we tell them to expect from coming to Jesus? What changes have you experienced? I want to keep growing, Lord, to become more firmly grounded in You and available for…

5.  Jesus said Peter would become a stone. Peter says the same is true for everyone who comes to faith in Jesus (cf. 1 Pet. 2.4-8). In what sense is this true for you? What other words describe the kind of changes you seek as a follower of Jesus? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you composed from questions 1-4.

Summary
“Is it a great thing that he changed his name and made him Peter from Simon? Now Peter is from the word for rock, but the rock is the church. Therefore, in the name of Peter the church was represented. And who is secure if not he who builds on a rock? And what does the Lord himself say? ‘He who hears these words of mine and does them, I shall liken him to a wise man who builds on rock.’ He does not give in to temptation.… In this way he has drawn your attention. For if Peter had this name before, you would not in that case see the mystery of the rock, and you would think that he was called that name before by chance, not by the providence of God. This is why he wanted him to be called another name first, so that from the very change of name the vital force of the mystery might be commended.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

From the beginning of his story, John wants us to know that Jesus is a powerful Agent for change. How could He not be – the Word of God, Light of life, Lamb of God, Son of God, Teacher, Messiah? When we are brought to such a powerful Person, we should expect to be transformed. But how? What does Paul say in 2 Corinthians 3.12-18?

Closing Prayer
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
Bound in affliction and irons—
Because they rebelled against the words of God,
And despised the counsel of the Most High,
Therefore He brought down their heart with labor;
They fell down, and there was none to help.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
And broke their chains in pieces.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalm 107.8-15

Psalm 107.1-9 (Faithfulness: Great is Thy Faithfulness)
Lord, You are good, we give thanks and we praise You!
Your steadfast love will forever endure.
Let the redeemed, who from trouble You rescue,
Gather and say that Your mercy is sure!
  Lord, for Your wondrous works, and for Your steadfast love,
  We give You thanks, we exalt Your great Name!
  We who from east and west, north and south gather,
  Boldly redemption in Christ we proclaim!

Wand’ring in deserts, no city, no dwelling,
Hungry and thirsty and faint in our soul –
Lord, when we cried, all our misery telling,
You brought us home and in grace made us whole!
  Lord, for Your wondrous works, and for Your steadfast love,
  We give You thanks, we exalt Your great Name!
  We who from east and west, north and south gather,
  Boldly redemption in Christ we proclaim!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.