This incident probably deals with the first encounter Simon,... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

When Jesus looked at him, he said, You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas (which is translated, a stone).
John 1:42.

This incident probably deals with the first encounter Simon, later the apostle Peter, had with the Son of God. Simon had heard of the imminent appearance of the Messiah. Then he met Jesus of Nazareth personally at the river Jordan. And Simon recognised Him as the Messiah and Redeemer.

Now Jesus looked at Simon. What did He contemplate? The Saviour saw a man from the Lake of Tiberias in the north of Israel, a fisherman with whom He would travel through Israel for three years. But He saw even more: a man whose heart longed for security, the sense of life, a clear conscience and divine love. And Jesus knew that He alone could satisfy that deep longing.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. At this first encounter He foreknows that He will call Simon to follow Him; therefore He gives him the new name of Cephas, which is the Aramaic equivalent of Peter. Both names mean: a stone. Later Peter himself indicates the deeper meaning of the name: when people come to Christ by faith, they are, as "living stones", built into a steadfast relationship with Jesus Christ, the "chief cornerstone, elect, precious" (1 Peter 2:5.6). The four gospels report what Peter experiences with his Lord and Master as a disciple of Jesus. Looking lovingly at Peter, Jesus sees at this first meeting how zealously Peter will follow Him. But He also knows that Peter will deny Him. Then the loving expression in the Lord's look will convict Peter (cf. Luke 22:61.62).

Today's reading: Exodus 40:1-16 · Luke 19:1-10