Tag Archives: Process

Simon’s New Name: A Reminder (Part 3)

Peter is often considered the spokesman for the Disciples.  He is the one who said things before the others did and this tendency can create a view in the eyes of some that Simon Peter was impetuous; always speaking without thinking.  But, not everything Simon Peter said was unthinkingly rash.  Consider the time he asked Jesus to call him out of the boat because he wanted to walk on the water with Jesus.  In that instance Simon Peter demonstrated a rock-like faith that was based on understanding that a disciple is to be like his Master.  (see post)

Yet, even around this instance of walking on water, there is no mention of Jesus calling him Peter.  While I’d love to speculate on the conversations Jesus may have had with Simon Peter as they reflected on that event afterwards, the record of what was said gives no indication that Jesus used the name Peter.

Just in case Simon was doubting this different identity, or if he was beginning to think Jesus could possibly have forgotten, Jesus repeated his pronouncement of Simon’s new name toward the end of his ministry, after he asked the Disciples who they thought he was.  Simon Peter spoke up declaring that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God.  Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you Simon, son of John, for this was not revealed to you by man but by my Father in heaven.  I say to you that you are Peter (Cephas) and on this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell will not be able to stand up against it” (see Mt 16.13-18).

This second instance, this reminder, of Simon’s new name came approximately 3 years after the first time Jesus said it.  That’s a long time when you’re in close relationship.  And, when you’re in relationship with the one who is demonstrating the power of God’s Kingdom (Lk 11.20), speaking the words of life (Jn 6.68) and having supernatural encounters with God (Mk 9.7), Simon could be forgiven for thinking that something like referring to one of your followers by the new name you’ve given him ought to be followed through.  “It’s been three years; you’ve told me this twice yet you’re still calling me Simon.”

For years I’ve pursued Him, giving away what He’s given me, doing everything I can to make steady progress toward the vision.

Simon…, Simon…, Simon…

 

Simon, Simon, Simon (Part 2)

One of the challenges we have when we read back on the life of Simon Peter and the other disciples is that we tend to read from a perspective of what we have learned.  When I read about Simon I automatically call him ‘Peter’.  (Even as I type this I am prone to type ‘Peter’ even when I’m trying to point out the difference between this and his original name, Simon.)

But, have you ever noticed when reading through the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) that every time Jesus spoke to Peter he still called him Simon?  There is only one exception to this, which we’ll look at later.

The first time Jesus met Simon he said to him, “You shall be called Peter”.  Yet Jesus continued to call him Simon…, Simon…, Simon…

I was really surprised when I came across this.  I had grown so accustomed to knowing Simon as ‘Peter’ that I made that name-shift in my head when I read the stories about Simon or, as John often referred to him, Simon Peter.   But, by doing this re-naming as I read, I never recognised that Jesus continued to refer to Simon as Simon – even after giving him the new name of Peter.

Simon…, Simon…, Simon…

Why would Jesus do that?  Why give him a new name but continue to refer to him by the old name?  Did Simon have to grow into this new name….?  Were there things Simon needed to learn or graduate into before he could take on his new name?

Perhaps he did.  But can you imagine the doubts that could have been swimming through Simon’s mind?  Jesus gave me a new name but he still calls me by Simon, is there something I’m missing…?  Or, perhaps Simon had some sense of recognition that the new identity given by Jesus, ROCK, was too much of a stretch.  Jesus must see something in me that he would give me that name.  Peter resonates within me but I still feel that identity is too lofty for me to achieve.

I can imagine the doubts that must have run through Simon’s mind.  But what was he learning in the process?

I’ve learned through my process.  I have a vision that burns in my heart. “You shall be called Peter”.

Yet I remain in the process of learning.   Simon…, Simon…, Simon…

Simon’s New Name (Part 1)

When Jesus began his ministry the first two disciples were those that had been following John the Baptist. One of them, Andrew, had a brother called Simon.  Andrew wanted to let his brother know about Jesus so he went to get him saying, “We have found the Messiah!” and brought Simon to meet Jesus.  When Andrew and Simon arrived, Jesus said to him, “You are Simon, the son of John, you will be called Peter” (Jn 1.42; cf Mk 3.16).

Imagine how Simon must’ve felt in that moment.  This man, this Prophet, this one his brother called the Messiah just initiated an intimate encounter with him.   And, in doing so, forever altered Simon’s identity.

In that culture, men were identified as being the son of their father.  That’s why so many people are introduced as the ‘Son of …..’.   Yet, without having met Simon previously, Jesus calls out Simon’s name, “You are Simon the son of John”.

Jesus seems to jump right into the deep, personal places of Simon’s heart by giving him a new name.  Not only is he stating how much he knows about Simon, but he is also stating how well he knows Simon.  The depth of intimate knowledge Jesus has for Simon is exemplified by giving him a new name – but this is more than just a new pet name, or a nick-name like you’d get from your friends.  In this re-naming, Jesus is telling Simon, ‘I am giving you a new identity, a new direction for your life.  Not only do you have a new name, now you have a new Father.’

But there’s even more to this.  We know from other parts of Scripture that when Jesus speaks his words actually create the reality he speaks about.  So, imagine being Simon in that moment.  Not only does Jesus speak to something about his identity, but inwardly he must’ve felt something that went deeper than an intimate moment of self-awareness.  The new reality which was created as Jesus spoke would have initiated a stirring in the depths of Simon’s spirit.  He most likely would not have been able to articulate what he was experiencing, but a new reality had just been conceived in the very depths of Simon’s identity.

Have you ever had a similar experience with Jesus?  Have you felt a shift in your identity when he spoke to you about something?  I have.  There was a day many years ago when he clarified a vision – a life calling.  The clarity of that vision changed everything.  From that point to now I have attempted to work out that vision in every way possible.  When Jesus speaks something like this it cannot be forgotten, nor can it be manufactured or forced into being.  There’s an element of faithfully working toward it, but there’s an even larger element of allowing God to orchestrate all the required parts.

I Understand

I understand your frustration.  I understand the questions you have – wondering if this is all there is to Church life.  I know the confusion you’ve felt, wondering if what you’re experiencing is the fullness of the life Jesus talked about.  I understand that you would feel deeply hurt if what you’ve experienced is all that is available.  Disappointed at feeling as though you’ve been misled.  Even angry, that someone had tapped into the deepest parts of you only to then leave you with a list of behaviours to mimic, meetings to attend and rules to follow.  I understand. I’ve been there myself.  I’ve felt this way too.

There really is more to this whole Christianity thing.  There really is more to what Church should be.  More to who God is.  More to who you are.

I don’t have it all figured out yet.  I’m still learning.  But what I have discovered is so much better than I imagined possible.  The things I’m learning are incredible, liberating, life-giving.  They are so wonderful I often stop and wonder why I didn’t see them before.  Why didn’t anyone tell me?  How have so many of us missed these things?

I understand if you are sceptical.  I know how deeply you’ve been hurt, disillusioned, disappointed.  I realise that by raising these ideas I’m opening up wounds that you felt had healed over.  But I’m asking you to try trusting me.  That little tug you feel in your heart; I encourage you to allow yourself to follow it.  Come with me, let’s explore together.  Let’s discover what God has in store for those who believe.

Journey To the Top of the Mountain

Have you ever noticed that when you go on a journey, you rarely travel directly from the starting place to the destination?  Roads aren’t made to go straight from town to town.  Walking up a mountain you usually walk a path that weaves back and forth as it climbs.   Even when traveling by airplane, the pilot will fly along a determined flight-path.

When selecting the photo for this site I knew as soon as I saw the photo in the banner it was the one I wanted.  As an illustration, allow me to use the top of the highest point of the mountain as my destination.   But, if I’m following the road to get to that mountain top, the road will take me away from the peak in order to bring me toward it.

That’s the way life sometimes works.  The journey is not always a straight shot to the destination.  In the process of getting to where we want to go it’s normal for us to travel what seems like an alternative route in order to get there.

Our spiritual development is no different.  I don’t want to sound overly simplistic, but it’s easier to accept this principle when we’re in times of positivity.  But when we’re struggling with confusion, frustration or pain – especially when it feels as though we keep coming back to the same points of pain – we don’t really like to hear that we’re on a journey toward maturity.

I’ve spent a lot of years in the progress of process.  Over the years, there were times I was convinced I was about to exit the process and arrive at the destination, yet it continued to elude me.  There were also times during which I felt if there was one more challenge or delay I would crack under the weight of it all, but that didn’t happen either.

I have learned many lessons but there are two that stand out above them all.

1. God is always good. I feel a bit strange putting that down as a lesson because I don’t recall ever doubting this or feeling like he wasn’t being good. But, the lesson I’ve learned is how important it has been for me to acknowledge his goodness even in the most difficult and challenging times.

My relationship with him has grown to new depths through my learning how to worship and honour him as my Good Father in the midst of telling him how painful and confusing things have been.  There were many times I would ask him to intervene and change my circumstances but, through his grace, I was also able to state my willingness to remain in that place if he had more for me to learn.  As those months turned into seasons I grew in deeper love for him and his goodness.

2. The process helped me gain clarity on my goals. A number of years ago I came across Jeremiah 32.39 and asked God to help me become a man of singleness of heart and action so that I would always serve him. Little did I expect the difficulties I would face that would help me refine the affections of my heart.

Back in 1992 God spoke to me very clearly, giving me a vision for life and ministry.  I have held onto those promises and have attempted to live them out as well as I could given the circumstances in which I found myself. The challenges I’ve faced have helped develop perseverance and resilience, bringing a clarity and assurance of who I am and what I want to do.

Now it feels as though I’m coming into the clearing and able to see the top of the mountain.  Maybe I’m experiencing an unwarranted feeling of positivity and the path will, once again, wind back through thickets. Either way, I’ll have a chance to go deeper in my love for God and continue becoming who he intended me to be.