In every list of the apostles given in the New Testament, Peter was always number one. Within that band of twelve, an inner group of three emerged. They seemed to have been particularly close to Christ. Their names? Peter, James and John. They were with Christ at the raising of Jarius' daughter, at the Transfiguration and in Gethsemane. It was characteristic of Peter that he seemed to have been the leader or the spokesman for the whole group. His given Hebrew name was Simeon. (Acts 15:14) That became Simon and then Christ called him Peter, which was really Greek and meant a stone or rock. Cephas is the same name in Aramaic, the common language of Palestine in Christ's day. Many of us see ourselves in Peter. He was quick, impulsive, sometimes saying the wrong things, and sometimes acting first and thinking afterwards. He was all the time wanting to be helpful even if it got him into trouble. He seemed to have been both a strong and a weak man. His brother Andrew brought him to Jesus. Christ looked at this man (v.2) and immediately knew both his character and his potential. No doubt Peter had come south from Galilee to hear John the Baptist's preach. But when he met Jesus, his allegiance was transferred to Christ. Peter never forgot that moment when Christ looked at him and changed his name. Peter is a wonderful example of how Christ can use anyone who will recognise Him for what He is - Jesus Christ, Son of God and Saviour of all who will believe in Him. If you have yielded your life to Him, there is no limit to what He can do in and through you - now and until He calls you home. SAY IT TODAY: "Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to Thee." |
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