John 1:42

“He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas’ (which means Peter).”

            In the previous verses we saw that Andrew ran to tell his brother that they had found the messiah. This is another gospel message just like the one that is delivered by John the Baptist—“Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” This first message prompted Andrew to follow Jesus, and this second gospel delivery prompted Simon to follow as we see in this verse. This shows that the good news of Jesus is already spreading. This all sets up this verse where we see that Andrew brings Simon to Jesus and how Jesus responds to Simon by changing his name, showing externally the change that Simon would be going through internally.

            In this verse Andrew brings Simon to Jesus, and this shows that Andrew did not just tell Simon about Jesus but also physically brought him to see Jesus. After John says Jesus looked at Simon, he describes something very personal. We can often read over these verses and not take in the gravity of what John is saying here. Jesus—who is God of the universe and created everything—took the time to take on flesh and now is looking at this man named Simon. Not only that but He tells him He is going to change his name to Peter. This reflects the change that Jesus will do in Peter and that he will no longer be the same person. Peter is receiving a new nature from Jesus and even though he is not a perfect person he will be forever changed by the God man Jesus Christ.

            As Christians, it is important for us to see how Andrew brought his brother to Jesus and did not just tell him about Jesus. We can see this as an example of what we should do with those to whom we preach the gospel, bring them to Jesus. It is important to understand the way He saw Peter is the way He sees each one of us. He really looks at us and gives us a new identity in Him.

            For those who do not yet believe, He is looking at you too ready to give you a new identity in Him if you call out to Him. Do not be afraid of what you have done; just look at Him and ask Him to help you to take away the old nature and put on the new nature of a Christian through His blood shed on the cross.