Transformation Series Episode 3

Transformation Series Episode 3

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And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

Hello, my walking friend! The journey of transformation can be so exhilarating… but also very hard. So I am proud of you for making the effort to stick with it – you are taking steps, literally, to transform your body, mind, and soul… with the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of Jesus, of course!

Today is the 3rd episode in the transformation series and our verse to meditate on is John 1:42:

And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

When you listen to the Walk with Jesus podcast, I call you, my listener, my walking friend. That’s how I see you in my mind. Someone who could be like me. Someone who is also a sojourner who sometimes struggles and who wants to be closer to Jesus. I don’t know you by name, so I call you my walking friend. But you have a true friend, a dear friend, who not only knows your name but who knows all there is to know about you – and that friend is Jesus. 

You and I are in the process of transformation, right? That may be why you chose to listen to this podcast series. You want to see a transformation in your life – maybe in your body, your mind, your lifestyle. But if you are saved by the grace of Jesus then you have already been transformed! You have already experienced the most important transformation there is – you have become a child of God. And while sanctification (which is a fancy word for the transforming process of becoming more like Jesus) continues for the Christian all the time they are in their earthly bodies. We are always in a battle with our  earthly nature. But the ultimate victory over the battle has already been won by the blood of Jesus on the cross. At the time you accept his gift of salvation by faith through grace, you have become a new creation. 

We  see this beautiful transaction in today’s verse. There was a broken man in need of a Savior – like every man and woman ever created. His name was Simon. That was his old name before he met Jesus. That name reflected his old self. But when he met Jesus, Jesus gave him a new name – Cephas, or translated Peter. The meaning of the name is “rock” promising stability and strength. Yes, this is the same Peter who would deny knowing Jesus three times – after walking with Jesus closely and watching him do miracles. The same Peter who walked away (dare I say, ran off?) after a young servant girl called him out as a follower of Jesus.  Remember, all this happened AFTER Jesus gave him the name of Peter, the rock, and AFTER Jesus told Peter that he would be foundational to building the early church.

Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter when they first met. Why would he do that when he knew that Peter would later deny him? He did it because he is love. He doesn’t name us or define us by our flaws or bad choices. He names us with love according to what he knows we can be when he is in us and walks with us. Eventually Peter was the rock that Jesus named him and called him to be. In the book of Revelation, we are told that Jesus gives us a new name, too. And, like Peter, we are in the process of being transformed into all that Jesus has called us to be.

Take a little time now to meditate on John 1:42 and thank Jesus for loving you and seeing you as a new creation even while you are in the process of transformation.

And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

The second half of our walk is an opportunity for reflection, meditation, and prayer. For many of us, myself included, this might feel challenging. But the spiritual rewards, and transformation, that come from developing this discipline is great and so is the power of the Holy Spirit to help us. So let’s start with some questions that will guide you in the process of reflection. 

If you could ask Jesus to give you a new name that would reflect the person you want to be transformed into, what would it be? As you walk, think of yourself that way.

How does it make you feel to know that Jesus gave Simon the name Peter even though he knew that Peter would later let him down? How does it make you feel to know that Jesus continues to love you and see the best in you even when you have let him down? Take some time to consider this now.

Part of the transformation process is believing – believing that Jesus wants to and will transform you. Take a little time to repeat this affirmation: Jesus loves me and has the power and will to transform me.

Now let’s listen again to today’s verse, John 1:42:

And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Anything going on in your life? Remember he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to him now.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus,

We praise you. You are love and we are so grateful for the ways you love us.  Thank you for seeing the best in us and transforming us into the person you have created us to be. Forgive us for the times we have doubted you. Forgive us for not believing you are who you say you are. Holy Spirit, fill us with a supernatural faith so that we can be and do all that Jesus created us to be and do all for his glory. Jesus, we love you and we thank you for being our friend. Amen.

Well, my walking friend, you did it! Another 10 minutes of walking and another opportunity to build the spiritual discipline of prayer and quiet time with Jesus, the one who knows you by name. I’m grateful for you and I’m grateful you took the time to walk with me today. 

For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkWithJesusDevotional.com. You will find the URL for the show notes for this podcast in the episode description.

 I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend, as we continue our process of transformation. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.