John, chapter 1 (4)

Father God, thank you for understanding as we read, study and meditate on the Word in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Chapater 1 of John is loaded with God's goodness and our identity found in Christ. In case, you have not already, please read it when you get a chance. I also find that it is loaded with names that reveal the Person and identity of Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus in this chapter is referred to as the Word who was in the beginning with God (John 1:2), the Life, the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world (John 1:9); the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth (John 1:14), the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), The only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18) and the Messiah (John 1:41).

Later on in the chapter, we see Jesus coming in contact with some of His first disciples. One of these disciples was Simon and when Jesus saw Him, He immediately gave Simon a new name.

John 1:41-42 (NKJV)

41. "He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ).

42. And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas (which is translated, A Stone)."

In the gospel of John, Jesus gave Simon a new name before He became His disciple. This new name was important because later on, we see that Simon Peter lived up to his name as one of the fundamental pillars of the early church. This is a reminder that Jesus' election and calling upon your life is only by His grace. God's election of Simon Peter through Jesus when it came to his calling and purpose was based on merit. Jesus did not wait for Simon to have enough faith to walk on water, or to wait and see whether his faith would not fail after he denied Jesus three times before His crucifixion (Luke 22:32).

After Jesus rose from the dead and before He ascended to heaven, He asked Simon three times if He loved Him. All the three times, Simon Peter responded yes and at some point, he started getting short with this question. But all three times, Jesus response to Simon was the same, "Feed My lambs (John 21:15). Tend My sheep (John 21:16) and Feed My sheep (John 21:17).

Simon's love for the LORD would be the foundation for His ministry unto His people. Jesus also said to Simon in Matthew 16:18-19 (NKJV), "And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." AMEN

I'll end with this Word found in Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NKJV)

23. "Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

24. But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.

Amen, thank you LORD.

Invitation to salvation: If you would like to receive Jesus and be born again into God's Kingdom, that is saved and have a personal relationship with God as Your Father and you as His child by receiving His Son, Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, I invite you to say this confession:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever." AMEN.

GLORY TO GOD, You are now a new creation in Christ Jesus! In case you have not already, please prayerfully consider becoming a member of a church and get WATER BAPTIZED!