Be it good or bad it’s a known fact that if your wife has to ask you if you notice anything different about her then it is far too late and your fate is already sealed. Be it make-up done a different way or a new hairstyle; heaven forbid you to miss the fact that she’s lost a dress size and you’ve not complemented her on her hard work. It is fair of course that your wife needs to be noticed and complimented, not in hollow, empty statements but with great joy and passion. Being complimented on such changes makes one feel new and noticed, cared for and looked after. A sense of watchfulness and concern.
God likes to make things new. The new testament tells us that by following Christ we become a new creation. Though it’s not a new hairstyle or new robes … our Creator changes something much deeper than that. At times the change is so great that a new name is given. In the gospel of John chapter 1 verses 19 – 51 we see the beginning of Jesus’ ministry on earth and specifically starting in verses 38 and onward Jesus begins to call his disciples. When he encounters Simon, Christ tells him that He will call him Cephas, or as we know him, Peter. While it’s not spelled out in this portion of scripture, I think it’s safe to say that Peter didn’t immediately flip his hair into a man bun or instantaneously sport a beard that would make hipsters jealous for generations.
No, I don’t think there were any external changes in Peter at all. I would go as far as to say that if there were any immediate changes in Peter it would be like planting a seed in the soil. Inside Peter, his heart was moved and called to follow Christ. But to come into his new name, Peter “the rock”, he would have to be watered by the words of Christ for the remainder of Christ’s time on earth. He would bask in the light of Jesus’ presence and become strong in faith through the impulsive actions of jumping out of a boat in the middle of the sea. Finally, he would be pruned by suffering the shame of denying the one he pledged to die for just hours prior; and to be restored by the master’s forgiveness at a lakeside fish fry.
In time, Simon became Peter. He would go on to lead thousands on the day of Pentecost. Travel through Asia Minor and finally find himself martyred in Rome. All of this Jesus saw when he called Simon and changed his name. Peter had no idea the growth that he was in for. Peter’s words became the foundation of faith for the early church. In his death, he affirmed his faith and set an example for all of us to follow.
When the Creator of all things looks us in the eye and whispers to our hearts to come, we have no choice but to go. We’re changed. Perhaps not externally and maybe we metamorphosis takes a while, but the seed is planted and the change begins. Each of us is made new. Each of us gets a new name.
Lost to Found.
Sinner to Saint.
Enemy to Heir.
A wretch to Prince & Princesses.